Dangerous toys on the Internet: Children in great danger!

Dangerous toys on the Internet: Children in great danger!

More and more Austrians are buying their toys online, and that poses significant health risks! According to Anton Reinl, director of the Federal Office of Consumer Health (BAVG), two thirds of everyday purchases by Austrian consumers were online in 2023. Of particular concern is the safety of children's toys, which include dangerous plasticizers and even potentially flammable products. The complaint rate for toys due to safety defects exceeded an alarming 80 percent in 2024. This shows the serious problems associated with inadequate controls in online trading Small newspaper reported.

On Wednesday the European Parliament took a decisive step towards tightening safety rules for toys. With 603 yes votes, 5 no votes and 15 abstentions, a revised legal text was passed that particularly addresses digital toys and the challenges of online shopping. Among other things, the ban on harmful chemicals in toys will be expanded to protect children from health risks. Marion Walsmann, EPP rapporteur, stressed that the new rules ensure that children receive the safest toys. A new digital product passport will also be introduced, which improves traceability and offers consumers more information, for example via QR codes. This was stated in a report by European Parliament explained in detail.

Safety standards for digital toys

The revised regulations require toys with digital features to meet strict safety and privacy standards. Manufacturers are now also required to conduct safety assessments on their products to identify harmful chemicals and safety risks. Despite existing strict EU regulations, dangerous toys continue to come onto the market. In 2022, toys were the most reported product category according to the EU Safety Gate. This development highlights the urgency of stricter controls and international cooperation in online trading, as called for by experts from AGES and the BAVG.