SGS Helps Manufacturers Understand UK Proposals to Strengthen Toy Chemical Safety

SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published a SafeGuardS that keeps manufacturers up to date with the latest changes to toy safety regulations being proposed by the Government of the United Kingdom (UK).

The UK Government signaled its intention to revise both the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 and Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 in a draft document circulated by the World Trade Organization (WTO) on April 13, 2022. Following Brexit, the proposals only apply to Great Britain – England, Wales and Scotland – and not Northern Ireland.

The proposal contains several important changes to the chemical requirements for toys:

  • Expands the number of allergenic fragrances from 55 entries to 58 entries by adding atranol, chloroatranol and methyl heptane carbonate (Schedule 2, Part 3, Point 11). These allergenic fragrances are prohibited, but their presence is allowed if they are technically unavoidable under good manufacturing practice (GMP) and each fragrance is no more than 100 mg/kg
  • Strengthens the migration of aluminum 2.5-fold for all three categories of toy materials (Schedule 2, Part 3, Point 13)
  • Restricts aniline and formaldehyde in certain toys/toy materials (Schedule 2, Appendix C)

The SafeGuardS includes a breakdown of the proposed requirements for aluminum, aniline and formaldehyde and a description of each of the three categories of toy material. See SafeGuardS 052/22.

Adopting these proposals will further align toy safety chemical requirements in Great Britain with the European Union’s Directive 2009/48/EC, the so-called Toy Safety Directive (TSD).

The draft document contains two important effective dates:

  • October 15, 2022 – provisions other than those specified below (NB. excepting the provisions relating to the three new allergenic fragrances, toys made available on the market before October 15, 2022, can be made available on the market until December 15, 2022)
  • December 15, 2022 – provisions for aluminum migrations and requirements for aniline and formaldehyde (NB. excepting provisions for aniline and formaldehyde, toys made available on the market prior to December 15, 2022, can be made available on the market until December 15, 2023)

SGS Toy & Juvenile Product Services

SGS offers a wide range of services to ensure that products comply with relevant standards for childcare articles and children’s equipment. They provide consulting, training, product development, testing, audit and inspection services to ensure that products comply with strict regulations worldwide, demonstrating the safety and quality of juvenile products being brought to the market. After all, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s Toy & Juvenile Product Services. [

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full UK Proposes to Strengthen Chemical Safety in Toys for Great Britain SafeGuardS.

Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Dr. HingWo Tsang

Global Information and Innovation Manager

Tel: (+852) 2774 7420

Email: crs.media@sgs.com

Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines

LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

About SGS

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 96,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top