Overview

The European toy industry employs over 100,000 people directly and there are over 2000 companies operating in the toy and games sector. Most of them are small and medium sized enterprises. The most important trading partners to the EU in this sector remain USA (22% of exports) and the Far East (88% of imports).

Safety is an important issue for toys. The achievement of internal market for toys, by harmonizing safety characteristics of toys across the EU, has positively contributed both to the development of the sector and toy consumer protection. Directive 88/378/EEC, amended by Directive 93/68/EEC, sets a high level of protection for consumers.

The Directive lays down the safety criteria or "essential requirements" which toys must meet during manufacture and before being placed on the market. The safety criteria cover general risks (protection against health hazards or physical injury) and particular risks (physical and mechanical, flammability, chemical properties, electrical properties, hygiene, radioactivity). The degree of risk has to take into account the ability of the user (children).

These web pages (Regulatory Affairs / Safety of Toys) offer you information on the existing legislation concerning the safety of toys and on the closed, ongoing and upcoming consultations that are being prepared by the Malta Standards Authority.  Links to guidance documents and FAQs are offered where available and applicable.