European manufacturers warn about the safety of imported toys

Manufacturers are calling on the European Union to act against the massive influx of dangerous toys flowing into Europe via online commerce platforms, particularly Chinese ones.

The safety of non-European toys is still problematic. According to a study unveiled by the European federation of professionals in the sector, 86% of controlled toys present severe risks to the safety and health of children, six points more than in 2024.

These alarming results concern small components, or even batteries, which children risk swallowing, the danger of burns for battery-powered toys, or even the risk of suffocation. “Today there are still far too many dangerous toys on platforms which are offered by sellers from third countriesexplains Catherine Van Reeth who heads the European Toys Industry federation, which led the survey. The rules are very strict. Our members do their utmost to ensure that toys comply and are not dangerous. So we really want everyone to follow the rules.”

Unfair competition, notably denounced by the boss of Smoby Alexis Delorme: “It’s absurd. Where are we ? Europe, normally, is an area in which the consumer is protected. At Smoby, 20 people work on product safety and quality to ensure that in the end, the product meets all standards.”

European toy manufacturers are calling for more customs controls before the arrival of products, particularly Chinese ones, on the European market. “The essential point is to find solutions to stop these products before they arrive on the European marketexplains Christophe Drevet, general director of the French toy industries federation. In 2024, 4.6 billion low-value parcels – less than 150 euros – arrived on the European market.

“Customs, with the best will in the world, do not have the logistical means to control these products which also arrive directly in consumers’ mailboxes.”

Christophe Drevet, general director of the French toy industries federation

at franceinfo

European manufacturers welcome the taxation of small packages promised for 2026, which could contribute to this objective, without however solving the problems linked to the manufacture of imported toys.

Two weeks ago, the European Commission went to China to reiterate European requirements. “We had a very strong message in China, with the authorities and online marketplaces, to tell them that we now have zero tolerance for thisdeclares Isabelle Pérignon, consumer director at the Commission. Dialogue will continue with the Chinese authorities against manufacturers or marketplaces that do not respect these rules.” For what results, manufacturers are worried, who say they found defective toys in their annual survey that they had already spotted in 2024.