EC Provides Guidance on Sports Equipment versus Toys

January 27, 2012

The European Commission (EC) recently released guidelines to help in making the distinction between sports equipment and toys.

While Toy Safety Directive (TSD) 2009/48/EC provided specific criteria for classifying a product as a toy, the term "sports equipment" is not as clearly defined. Guidance Document No. 14 provides four additional guidelines to help in distinguishing sports equipment from toys:

• The declaration by the manufacturer of intended use
• Distinctive characteristics such as materials and look, i.e., colors and themes designed to attract or entertain children
• Special criteria for product use, such as the need for learning or coaching, use of protective equipment, and specific rules associated with sports
• Price, with toys often sold at a lower price than sporting equipment

Why It Matters

The TSD came into force on July 20th, 2011 and outlines stricter requirements in areas such as noise, chemicals, and choking hazards, provides clarification for the rules on warnings, and describes the use of risk assessments for toy manufacturers, authorized representatives, importers, distributors and Member States involved in the production, selling and control of toys on the EU market.

How UL-STR Can Help

As one of only four notified bodies in the UK for toy testing, UL-STR's Reading laboratories conduct EC-type examinations and issue EC-type certifications to ensure product compliance under the TSD.

To learn more about how UL-STR can help you achieve the highest standards of product safety and quality for your toys and children’s products, submit the short form below, and a UL-STR representative will follow up with you soon.