Nearly 12,200 control actions in the toy sector were carried out in 2015 by the Consumer Affairs Department. More than one in ten toys are considered dangerous.
Lack of CE marking, risk of exposure to dangerous substances, excessively high noise level … Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) every year checks compliance with the regulations by operators in the toy sector. The objective of this surveillance is to ensure the safety of products offered for sale on the French market. And there is obviously still work to be done.
Of the 3,738 establishments visited throughout the country, the DGCCRF thus carried out nearly 12,200 control operations, of which more than 4,200 directly concerned toy safety. Among the main causes of dangerousness recorded in 2015, small elements in toys for children under 3 years old, accessibility to stuffed animals and the chemical risks linked to the presence of phthalates in plastic toys (PVC) are the most frequent.
Slight decrease in infractions
In figures, the results of non-compliance and dangerousness on the 785 toys sampled and analyzed by the Joint Laboratory Service (1) are down slightly: 13% in the Review of the 2015 annual toy control plan (against 16.5% in 2014). The anomalies observed were the subject of 875 warnings against operators, 152 administrative injunctions and 66 litigation files sent to the judicial authority. 220,000 products were brought into conformity or destroyed.
Thus, all establishments combined, the anomaly rate noted this year is practically constant (9.2%) for all the toys checked. A figure also down since the anomaly rate was 8.2% in 2014.
Little-known regulations for small businesses
Overall, the large operators (manufacturers, importers and distributors) have a good command of the regulations specific to toys and are increasingly developing internal control processes. On the other hand, safety requirements (manufacturing, regulatory warnings) remain unknown among small artisans (especially among manufacturers of wooden toys) but also in itinerant shops and Christmas markets.
Finally, with regard to Internet sales sites, they are used more and more but do not always display, or in an incomplete or imprecise manner, regulatory warnings intended for the consumer and concerning certain toys subject to information requirements. specific. As Christmas approaches, the DGCCRF therefore renews its vigilance advice by publishing the brochure ” For successful end-of-year celebrations ” and one toy safety flyer.
Advice for parents …
– Check the presence of mandatory markings (European “CE” marking)
– Check the age group for which the toy is intended (especially for toys that are prohibited or not recommended for children under three years old)
– If the toy has small parts, ask yourself if it is suitable for the child for whom it is intended
– Carefully read the recommendations and warnings on the labeling or packaging
– Discard toys whose instructions are not translated into French
– Give priority to traditional commercial channels, do not buy from resellers on the sly
– Do not leave behind objects for adults which may be attractive to children, nor articles designed for decoration (see Christmas articles to hang in the tree, attractive but not toy)
(1) The physical analyzes verify that the mechanical behavior of the toys is acceptable with regard to the age of the child (tearing of the eyes of the stuffed animals, small accessible elements, etc.), the chemical analyzes focusing on the composition of the toys. toys and the possible presence of contaminants (heavy metals), unwanted substances or allergens. Non-flammability tests complete the laboratory checks.
.
