Simran Joshi
A recent investigation by Toy Industries of Europe has raised alarms about the influx of unsafe toys sold through online marketplaces in Europe, with 80% of tested products failing to meet stringent EU safety standards. Among the concerning findings were hazardous items, including magnets capable of causing serious internal injuries to children and toys containing toxic chemicals. This situation has prompted industry leaders to call for greater accountability from online platforms, arguing that current regulations leave significant loopholes that endanger child safety. With major players like Amazon, Temu, and Shein implicated, the issue highlights a growing global concern regarding product safety in the rapidly expanding e-commerce landscape.
Concerns Over Unsafe Toys in Europe
Toy Industries of Europe (TIE) has raised alarms about a significant influx of dangerous toys in the European market, particularly through online marketplaces. In a recent investigation, TIE purchased over 100 toys from various third-party sellers on ten platforms, including Amazon. Alarmingly, 80% of these toys failed to comply with EU safety standards, posing potential risks to children. TIE’s director general, Catherine Van Reeth, emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, stating that unless online marketplaces take greater responsibility for the safety of the toys sold on their platforms, dangerous products will continue to flood the EU market.
The investigation revealed a range of hazardous products, including high-risk magnets capable of inflicting serious internal injuries if swallowed and toys containing toxic chemicals. Independent laboratory tests indicated that some products, like baby teething toys, could easily break into small parts, creating choking hazards. Additionally, slime products were found to contain boron levels exceeding the EU’s legal limit by more than 13 times, which can lead to reproductive health problems. TIE noted that their findings do not represent the safety of all toys on these platforms, as they did not purchase any from recognized brands.
Marketplace Accountability and Regulatory Actions
The EU boasts the world’s strictest toy safety regulations, yet manufacturers outside the bloc are often exempt from these rules when selling through online marketplaces. TIE advocates for increased legal accountability for these platforms, calling on EU leaders to impose regulations that would make them responsible for the safety of third-party products listed on their sites. Six out of the ten online marketplaces studied, including Amazon, have signed the EU’s Product Safety Pledge, which is a voluntary commitment to ensure product safety. TIE insists that this loophole must be closed to prevent unsafe toys from endangering children.
In the United States, concerns about online product safety echo those in Europe. Recently, officials from the Consumer Products Safety Commission have called for investigations into companies like Shein and Temu regarding the sale of potentially hazardous baby and toddler products. Both companies responded to TIE’s findings by emphasizing their commitment to safety standards and the swift removal of non-compliant products. Shein and Temu stated that they require third-party sellers to adhere to strict compliance standards and are actively investigating the issues raised.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings