How to buy safe toys?

Toys are undoubtedly a children’s companion from the youngest years. The first shopping and the first gifts accompany kids with what is the best and the cutest from the first days of their lives. In the following years, safe toys are an inherent part of children’s growth. Often, they have a significant impact on the intellectual and physical development of a child. For this reason, it is so important to choose the right gadgets for a child’s age. Also, the choice of materials of components that will not be adverse is vital in the choice of toys. Unfortunately, the toy market is becoming dominated by the wave of toys imported from Asia, which often do not meet the EU criteria, and they do not have the essential CE certificate.

Safe toys – Stop made in China

On the Western market, toys imported from China are seen more and more often. Mass-produced gadgets, usually aren’t safe for the youngest. This is why the trade commission recently started to investigate this case. Back in the days, there was various information that some toy batches didn’t meet the safety criteria, moreover, the toys contained harmful compounds that were dangerous for children’s health and life. Thanks to the support of the trade commission, it is possible to avoid a lot of unfortunate events. Why?

Some toys meet the requirements, however the vast majority may contain adverse and toxic substances that are dangerous for child’s and mother’s health. Numerous examples prove that the Made In China isn’t that safe. Some time ago, a batch of dolls was removed from sale, as the number of detrimental materials was three hundred times higher than the permissible. Often, in Asia, there is a phthalate used and it harms the fetus and it causes liver, lung, and kidney diseases. 

Unfortunately, in many cases, the law is breached. The Chinese producers unlawfully place the CE signs on the toy packages. The CE sign ensures that all European safety requirements are met. It’s worth keeping it in mind. This is why we recommend the purchase of European producers, which are on the market for years. 

What safety standards should be met by a toy?

Strict standards must be met by the toys that are designed for the children under three-years-old but also the older ones. First of all, the toys cannot be made from flammable materials. This is why before the release to the market, a few samples from each batch are put into flames to see how long it takes to burn them. If it doesn’t last long enough, the toy doesn’t pass the safety test. Safe toys can’t be covered with paints that contain lead, which apparently is cancerogenic.  

All the safe toys are checked if they contain nickel, nonylphenol, phthalate, or organotin. Unfortunately, most of the toys imported from Asia, and some European producers, don’t pass the basic test for nickel content. It’s worth knowing that this substance causes allergic reactions which may provide a rash on the skin. The effects aren’t visible immediately, so it is better to check the toys before the purchase. Parents can’t estimate what future causes can bring the usage of dangerous toys. Sometimes, it takes years for diseases to evolve, so they are not associated with the childhood period, but this is the time where they may come from. 

Avoiding the small objects

Curiosity is definitely in children’s nature, as from the youngest age, they want to learn the world. They touch everything, but also put many things into their mouth. Here the most important role is played by parents who don’t let their children swallow little elements by purchasing the right toys. It is not recommended to buy the type of toys that are made of many little elements. There is a risk that a small element will break off a toy, and a child will swallow it. Moreover, if the toy is made of harmful materials, it increases the hazard. Putting it into the mouth may for example cause an allergic reaction. 

How reliable are the toy certificates?

• EN71 – is an European standard that specifies safety requirements for toys. Compliance with the standard is legally required for all toys sold in the European Union.
• TUV – is a certificate given by the independent organizations. It ensures that the substances used in the production are fully safe.
• IETP – is an independent, non-for-profit organization established to safeguard and improve ethical and sustainability standards in the global toy industry.
• FSC – it is used for wooden toys and it indicates that the wood used in the production comes from the forests that are managed responsibly and environmentally appropriate.
• Fair Trade –  is an arrangement designed to help producers in developing countries achieve sustainable and equitable trade relationships.
• WE – ensures that a toy passed all the EU standards and requirements. The certificate can be given only by a notified body.
• GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard – indicates that a toy was made of organic cotton and no harmful substances were used in farming.
• PEFC – ensures that a toy was produced with the economic, environmental and social standards and it’s fully safe for children.

Toys with at least one of these certificates guarantee that they will be fully safe for children. For this reason, it is worth checking a toy box properly before the purchase. 

Misioo offers fully safe and checked products for your child – check our products!