The EU’s new Toy Safety Regulation (TSR) entered into force in January to strengthen the way chemical risks in toys are assessed across the EU. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will now play a central role in evaluating chemical safety in toys. The Regulation aims to strengthen protection for children by introducing stricter requirements, improved product transparency and enhanced oversight of toys sold both online and through traditional retail channels.
What’s Changed: ECHA’s New Responsibilities
Under the Toy Safety Regulation, ECHA will assess chemical risks in toys and evaluate requests from companies seeking permission to use substances otherwise restricted under the Regulation.
Through these activities, ECHA will help determine whether specific uses of chemicals in toys can be considered acceptable under the new regulatory framework.
Why This Matters
For manufacturers, importers and supply-chain actors, the changes represent a shift in how chemical risks in toys are assessed and governed. In practical terms, companies can expect greater scrutiny of the chemical substances used in toy materials and components.
Practical Considerations for Industry
Organisations involved in manufacturing or placing toys on the EU market should consider how their internal processes align with the requirements of the new Regulation.
Key considerations may include:
• reviewing product formulations to determine whether substances fall within newly restricted categories
• ensuring robust internal processes are in place to manage obligations under the Toy Safety Regulation
• strengthening supply-chain transparency to ensure visibility of chemical substances used in materials and components
• aligning internal compliance systems with best practice to demonstrate due diligence and regulatory preparedness
• ensuring processes are in place to respond to consumer enquiries regarding the presence of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) within the required regulatory timelines
• ensuring internal data, testing strategies and supplier communication support regulatory assessments
Establishing clear internal governance processes will be particularly important where legacy substances or complex formulations are involved.
Deenamic Insight
Consistent engagement with evolving regulatory requirements can significantly reduce downstream compliance risks. Recent product recalls linked to chemical safety concerns in consumer products illustrate how regulatory scrutiny across product categories has been ongoing and is likely to intensify further for toys. Such cases highlight the importance of robust internal processes for substance identification, supplier communication and regulatory compliance.
As ECHA’s role under the Toy Safety Regulation develops, organisations that align scientific, regulatory and strategic considerations early in the product lifecycle will be better positioned to manage regulatory expectations, respond to market scrutiny and maintain continuity of supply.
“ECHA’s new responsibilities require us to perform rigorous scientific assessments and provide clear advice on the safe use of chemicals in toys. Through this work, we will contribute to the protection of children’s health across the EU.”
— Peter van der Zandt, Director for Risk Management, ECHA
The Toy Safety Regulation represents an important step in strengthening chemical safety governance for children’s products in the EU. Sound regulatory strategy will be key for organisations navigating this evolving regulatory landscape.