Guidance on Toy Safety
The Commission and the Expert Group on Toy Safety draw up guidance documents to assist manufacturers, importers, distributors, and public authorities in the interpretation and application of the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC. The guidance documents are not legally binding but they express the views of the majority of the Expert Group's members.
| Guidance documents | last update | |
| N°1 | Guidance document on scooters (432 kB) | 05/10/2016 |
| N°2 | The guidance document on Community legislation applicable to floating seats has become obsolete, following the publication of the new guidance document No 7. | 12/12/2023 |
| N°3 | The guidance document on the relationship between the Safety of Toys Directive and the Cadmium Directive (Directive 91/338/EEC) has become obsolete after the Court of Justice has given its judgment in case C-9/04 | 03/02/2003 |
| N°4 | Guidance document on grey zone problem: Is a specific product covered by the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC or not (198 kB) | 15/10/2015 |
| N°5 | "Guidelines on the treatment of 'grey zone' products - criteria to classify products consisting of miniatures to be assembled and painted and their support products" has become obsolete, following the publication of the new guidance document No 20. | 21/11/2024 |
| N°6 | "Guidelines on the treatment of 'grey zone' products - criteria for differentiating dolls for adult collectors from toys" has become obsolete, following the publication of the new guidance document No 20. | 21/11/2024 |
| N°7 | Guidance document on toys and other products used in or on the water (3 MB) | 12/12/2023 |
| N°8 | Guidance document on pools (10.1 MB) | 28/01/2019 |
| N°9 | Guidance document on books (2 MB) | 10/12/2013 |
| N°10 | Guidance document on musical instruments (1 MB) | 26/02/2019 |
| N°11 | Guidance document on toys intended for children under 36 months of age or of 36 months and over (4 MB) | 13/06/2023 |
| N°12 | Guidance document on packaging (5 MB) | 09/07/2012 |
| N°13 | Guidance document on crafts (544 kB) NEW! Guidance document on craft kits (3 MB) | 19/04/2011 20/11/2024 |
| N°14 | Guidance document on sports equipment (103 Kb) | 18/01/2012 |
| N°15 | Guidance document on writing instruments and stationery (596 kB) | 09/10/2012 |
| N°16 | Guidance document on electronic equipment (6 MB) | 09/07/2012 |
| N°17 | Guidance document on disguise costumes (287 kB) | 04/12/2012 |
| N°18 | Guidance document on puffer balls and similar toys (498 kB) | 16/09/2019 |
| N°19 | Guidance document on soother holders (1 MB) | 26/09/2019 |
| N°20 | Guidance document on decorative products and products for collectors (2 MB) NEW! Guidance document on decorative products and products for collectors | 17/05/2021 15/11/2024 |
Notes from market surveillance
The market surveillance authorities in charge of toy safety, known as the Administrative Cooperation (ADCO) group of the Expert Group on Toy Safety, has issued the notes below. These aim to help understand the approach of market surveillance authorities to specific issues. The approach respresents the majority view amongst the market surveillance authorities.
Soft-filled toys with sequins - 6 March 2019
Small magnetic balls and magnetic building kits – 28 August 2024
Recommendations and Protocols under Directive 2009/48/EC
The co-ordination group of notified bodies under the Toy Safety Directive, known as NB-Toys, has issued Recommendations and Protocols to help them fulfil their tasks. They are applied by the notified bodies on a voluntary basis.
- Recommendation No 1 : format EC type examination certificate (Rev 3) (188 kB)
- Recommendation No 2 : NoBo identification number affixed to the toy (Rev 1) (13 kB)
- Recommendation No 3 : failure of safety limit (Rev 1) (14 kB)
- Recommendation No 4 : transitional period (Rev 1) (15 kB)
- Protocol No 1 : Toys submitted to EC-Type Examination (Rev 8) (462 kB)
- Protocol No 2 : Microbiological safety of toys containing aqueous media (Rev 4) (362 kB)
- Protocol No 4 : Washability of toys approval (Rev 2) (231 kB)
- Protocol No 5 : Microwavable toys (Rev 2) (263 kB)
Guidance for notified bodies
The Commission issued an interpretative document on the use by notified bodies of their name and number for activities not required by EU legislation.