The Toys (Safety) Regulations 1995

WARNINGS AND INDICATIONS OF PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN WHEN USING TOYS (Article 11(5))

Toys must be accompanied by appropriate clearly legible warnings in order to reduce inherent risks in their use as described in the essential requirements, and specifically:

Toys not intended for children under 36 months

1.  Toys which might be dangerous for children under 36 months of age shall bear a warning, for example: “Not suitable for children under 36 months” or “Not suitable for children under three years” together with a brief indication, which may also appear in the instructions for use, of the specific risks calling for this restriction.

This provision does not apply to toys which, on account of their function, dimensions, characteristics, properties or other cogent grounds, are manifestly unsuitable for children under 36 months.

Slides, suspended swings and rings, trapezes, ropes and similar toys attached to a crossbeam

2.  Such toys shall be accompanied by instructions drawing attention to the need to carry out checks and maintenance of the main parts (suspensions, fixings, anchorages, etc.) at intervals, and pointing out that, if these checks are not carried out, the toy may cause a fall or overturn.

Instructions must also be given as to correct assembly of the toy, indicating those parts which can present dangers if it is incorrectly assembled.

Functional toys

3.  Functional toys or their packaging shall bear the marking “Warning: to be used under the direct supervision of an adult”.

In addition, these toys shall be accompanied by directions giving working instructions as well as the precautions to be taken by the user, with the warning that failure to take these precautions would expose the user to the hazards—to be specified—normally associated with the appliance or product of which the toy is a scale model or an imitation. It will also be indicated that the toy must be kept out of the reach of very young children.

“Functional toys” means toys which are used in the same way as, and are often scale models of, appliances or installations intended for adults.

Toys containing inherently dangerous substances or preparations. Chemical toys

4.—(a) Without prejudice to the application of the provisions laid down in Community directives on the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances or preparations, the instructions for use of toys containing inherently dangerous substances or preparations shall bear a warning of the dangerous nature of these substances or preparations and an indication of the precautions to be taken by the user in order to avoid hazards associated with them, which shall be specified concisely according to the type of toy. The first aid to be given in the event of serious accidents resulting from the use of this type of toy shall also be mentioned. It shall also be stated that the toys must be kept out of reach of very young children.

(b) In addition to the instructions provided for in (a), chemical toys shall bear the following marking on their packaging—

• “Warning: for children over(1) years of age only. For use under adult supervision”.

In particular, the following are regarded as chemical toys: chemistry sets, plastic embedding sets, miniature workshops for ceramics, enamelling or photography and similar toys.

Skates and Skateboards for children

5.  If these products are offered for sale as toys they shall bear the marking—

• “Warning: protective equipment should be worn”.

Moreover, the instructions for use shall contain a reminder that the toy must be used with caution, since it requires great skill, so as to avoid falls or collisions causing injury to the user and third parties. Some indication shall also be given as to recommended protective equipment (helmets, gloves, knee-pads, elbow pads, etc.).

Toys intended for use in water

6.  The toys intended for use in water defined in Section II.1(f) of Annex II shall contain the warning in accordance with CEN’s brief to adapt standard EN/71, parts 1 and 2—

• “Warning! Only to be used in water in which the child is within its depth and under supervision”.

(1)

Age to be decided by the manufacturer.