PRODUCT SAFETY

We seek to ensure that all the products we sell comply with the appropriate European Toy Safety standards. All of our products are tested to the relevant safety standards before being placed on general sale. Safety certification for all of our products is available as requested by customers.

The European Toy Safety Directive provides a common standard for the safety of toys throughout Europe. A toy is defined as “any product or material designed or clearly intended for use in play by children of less than 14 years of age”. As our sticker books, colouring books and jigsaws come within this definition they must comply with the European Directive.

The requirements of the Directive are:

1. Safety testing to ensure compliance with essential requirements of the Directive.
2. The application of a CE mark logo on the product.
3. Maintenance of a file containing information about the product.
4. The use of safety warnings such as the “0-3” warning symbol indicating that the product is not suitable for children under 3 years of age.
5. Each product must bear the name and address of the company responsible for first placing the product on the market.

The European Directive implemented and enforced by the DTI and Trading Standards requires the above standards to be met. Unfortunately there are still many products on the market that fail to comply and we continue to press for such products to be identified and removed from sale.

As active members of the Equitoy (equitoy.co.uk) trade body we abide by a written Code of Conduct including adherence to the above legislation and have direct access to authoritative advice from the Association’s Toy Safety Adviser, Clive Shelton.

26th March 2008