Today's draft law will now be scrutinised by the Parliament's Consumer Protection Committee. Arlene McCarthy MEP 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 tough 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."
Arlene McCarthy MEP concluded "our objective is for Europe to lead the way on global standards for toy safety."
-ENDS-
For further information please contact Arlene's office on 0161 909 5107 or email arlene.mccarthy@easynet.co.uk or call the European Parliamentary Labour Party press officer, Silke Thomson on +44 207 222 1719 or +32 479 790 053.
