Deal on Toy Safety Regulation is only the first step in protecting Europe’s children

Tonight MEPs and diplomats from the Council found an agreement on an update to the EU’s toy safety directive. The agreement will make toys safer in Europe by raising the level of child protection from harmful substances but not only. Renew Europe pushed for mental health to be integrated into the law.

A new mental health angle

Anna Stürgkh (NEOS, Austria) our lead liberal negotiator in the internal market committee, said : “This agreement brings toy safety into the 21st century. For the first time, we’re not only protecting children from toxic substances, but also recognising the mental health risks of connected toys. Reward mechanisms that pressure kids to perform or tie their self-worth to metrics have no place in healthy play. Europe must lead by example: safe toys must also mean mentally safe toys.”

Real progress on toxic substances

Billy Kelleher (Fianna Fáil, Ireland) who negotiated the file for Renew in the environment committee said : “Tangible progress was made in the negotiations. We have ensured that some of the most toxic substances, such as bisphenols and PFAS, can no longer be used in the manufacturing of toys for Europe’s children. Further work will, however, be needed to align many of Europe’s regulations with relation to chemicals and their use in the economy. The current regulatory regime is fragmented and often contradictory."