Children / dangerous toys: Laurent Parrot answers our questions
Every year, millions of toys are imported into France. The authorities are obliged to verify the conformity and legitimacy of the CE standards applied by the manufacturer on the toys and the games but some may slip through the cracks!
even though toys and the games are generally less dangerous, some do not resist shocks, nibbling, blows and can become dangerous.
Laurent Parrot, Technical Service Manager at the French Federation of Industries toy childcare, answers some of our questions and gives us some tips to follow of course.
What are the safety standards that must be respected by toy and game manufacturers in France? Are they identical throughout Europe?
All toys manufactured or imported into Europe must always comply with the European directive toy. The latter sets requirements in terms of mechanical, physical, chemical, acoustic ... depending on the age class of destination products. Products intended for the youngest must meet additional requirements (eg small items that the child could ingest).
In parallel with this very strict directive, toys, according to their characteristics must also comply with other regulations with regard to safety (food contact, chemical substances, etc.) or respect for the environment (packaging, restrictions of chemical substances, etc.). In all, more than 10 European directives or regulations govern the security of toys.
As parents, how do you know if a toy is ultimately not a poisoned gift for a child?
There is no reason to think that one can offer a poisoned gift, quite the opposite. The commitment of the recognized brands and the guarantee that they give by putting their names on the products are the best guarantee for the consumers.
Parents must first buy products adapted to the age range of the child but above all, buy products in dedicated and recognized places such as supermarkets, small retailers or specialized stores.
Buy some toys on a website that does not inspire confidence or in a market, can in some cases book surprises. Finally, let's not forget the first of the guarantees, the toy must bear the CE mark, which means that the toy complies with the requirements of the European directive.
Before it is put on the market, is the toy undergoing tests? If yes, which ones ?
Manufacturers are obliged to place compliant products on the market. The toys therefore undergo numerous tests to ensure that they are compliant (small element pulling test, flammability, drop tests, strength tests, stability tests, etc.)
Can you give me some figures?
In 2010, the crackdown on fraud led to more than 14,000 control actions against toys in 4,400 establishments, generating more than 800 samples. 1% was the subject of procedures which does not mean that they were dangerous. Again, buy some toys Recognized brands in dedicated places is a guarantee of serenity for parents.
Are there any labels that certify the reliability of a toy ?
The first security "label" is the CE marking which indicates that the toy is in accordance with the regulations. There is also the NF mark that you can find on some toys.
What are the potentially dangerous chemical substances and therefore prohibited in toys ?
The directive Toy and the regulations provide for the prohibition of a very large number of chemical substances and set very strict limits for a large number of other substances. These limits or prohibitions are set by colleges of European scientists.To comply with the regulations and therefore be able to be sold on the European market, toys must respect these limits or prohibitions.
Concerning noisy toys, it seems that certain sounds can produce irreversible damage to the ear. What should be done ? Should we ban them or use them less?
Again, the directive toy sets very severe noise limits to avoid any risk to the young user.
Do you have some tips for avoiding dangerous toys?
- Resume the advice enunciated above,
- Buy some toys recognized brands,
- Buy some toys in identified networks,
- Buy some toys consistent with the age of the child,
- Buy some toys which bear the CE mark
Do parents have a role to play? If yes which ? Because the defects are not always verifiable during the purchase?
Once you've followed the advice above, parents have a role to play next. It is important to make sure that the toy The elder will not stay within reach of his little brother or little sister who might find small things in his path. It can also be risky or counterproductive to repair toys. The strength can be affected and the materials used for the repair (glue ...) can be harmful. Finally, toys the smallest are designed to be washable, surface or machine, it must be enjoyed, how many doudou are blackened by dragging everywhere ...
Are there so-called ecological toys?
In France today there is no label or environmental certification specific to the toy. Some manufacturers have chosen to develop all or part of their ranges according to a specific specification that is committed a little more for the respect of the environment.
Remember that the toy must already comply with a number of European directives aimed at preserving the environment (Rohs, WEEE, EUP, packaging ...).
We are talking about an eco-label that guarantees the absence of dangerous substances, heavy metals or even perfume in products. Will he see the day if you have a date?
An ecolabel toy is in the process of being written and should be ready by the end of 2011. We do not yet know the exact content. However, the Directive toy already guarantee the absence of dangerous substances, heavy metals. For perfumes, why forbid them since they participate in the sensory development of the child? Why would a natural scent be more dangerous for a toy what about the food given to him?
Can you give me the definition of a dangerous toy?
It might be a toy which does not bear the CE marking or which is an infringement of a toy brand name (branded product sold at an abnormally low price on a questionable website or on a market).
Thank you to Laurent Parrot for kindly answering our questions.
A little recap for parents concerned about the safety of their children:
After the passage of the French customs laboratories whose role is to mistreat the toys and the games for the safety of our children and to check their compliance. parents also have an important role to play. Two opinions are better than one! In your turn, do not hesitate to abuse the eyes of bears or dolls for example. Before giving a toy or a game to your child, you have to test it:
- Check that it meets the safety standards in force before buying it,
- Open the box with your child and store the packaging that can be dangerous,
- Make sure the toy be adapted to the age of your cherub,
- Read the instructions and especially the precautions for use of the toy,
- Test the strength of the toy in order to verify that no element can be torn off and / or swallowed,
- Make sure the batteries are in a compartment that the child can not open,
We must also check:
- The CE marking made obligatory. This symbol means that the toy complies with stringent and precise safety requirements which are set at the European level.
- The NF standard which is a trademark applied by the manufacturer who undertakes to manufacture its products in accordance with the standards in force and to have them checked in a workshop provided for this purpose.
- The details of the manufacturer must be clearly visible.
- The leaflet must be written in French and contain all the indications on the precautions to be taken when using the product.
Finally, we must check that the marking "is not suitable for children under 36 months" is present. This symbol means that toy does not meet the particular and more stringent safety standards imposed for this age group. Dear mum, dear dad, you also have to buy toys which are adapted to the age of the child.
