Press Releases
Tougher Toy Standards On The Way
Commenting on the draft toy safety law presented today by the European Commission Stephen Hughes, Labour MEP for the North East and father of five children (two of them at primary school) said "we have been demanding tougher toy safety standards across Europe and action on dangerous imports from China and other countries for a number of years now."
Today's draft law will now be scrutinised by the Parliament's Consumer Protection Committee. Stephen Hughes continued "It is our job to check if it meets the higher standards we have been demanding in the wake of recent toy recalls and toy safety scares. We want a tough law with a rigorous enforcement regime which protects children's health and safety."
Parents of young children will welcome
· stronger rules to protect children from suffocation and choking risks,
· the ban on toys embedded in food or sweets and
· new powers for enforcement bodies and an obligation on them to cooperate across Europe to crack down on dangerous toys.
"This new law must take account of new toy risks and the fact that 90% of our toys are imported from China and other non-EU countries. It must stand the test of time and meet our demands that toy imports meet the highest standards. Importers and brand owners must accept responsibility and liability for placing dangerous toys on the market."
Stephen Hughes MEP concluded "our objective is for Europe to lead the way on global standards for toy safety."
-ENDS-
Contact:
Cyndi Beaver <cyndi.b@ntlworld.com >
Telephone:077641 98400