We do not know which warnings a toy needs

Toys follow a general rule and a list. Under the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC, toys must not jeopardise the safety or health of users when used as intended or in a foreseeable way, bearing in mind the behaviour of children, and labels and instructions draw attention to the inherent hazards and how to avoid them (Article 10(2)). Where appropriate for safe use, the warnings specify user limitations under Annex V, Part A: at least the minimum or maximum age and, where appropriate, the abilities and weight of the user and the need for adult supervision (Article 11(1)).^[1]

For the categories in Annex V, Part B, the warnings set out there are used, and those in points 2 to 10 are used as worded (Article 11(1)). The categories are toys that might be dangerous for children under 36 months, activity toys, functional toys, chemical toys, skates, scooters and toy bicycles, aquatic toys, toys in food, imitations of protective masks and helmets, toys strung across a cradle, cot or pram, and packaging for fragrances in olfactory games, cosmetic kits and gustative games (Annex V, Part B, points 1 to 10). A toy must not carry a specific warning that conflicts with its intended use (Article 11(1)).^[1]

The directive also says how warnings are shown. The manufacturer marks them clearly, legibly, understandably and accurately on the toy, an affixed label or the packaging and, if appropriate, in the instructions; small toys sold without packaging have the warnings affixed to them; and warnings begin with ‘Warning’ or ‘Warnings’ (Article 11(2)). Warnings that determine the decision to purchase, such as minimum and maximum ages, appear on the consumer packaging or are otherwise clearly visible before purchase, including online (Article 11(2)). A Member State may require the warnings and safety instructions in a language easily understood by consumers (Article 11(3)).^[1]

Online sellers carry the same warnings. Under the General Product Safety Regulation, an online offer clearly and visibly shows any warning or safety information to be affixed to the product or its packaging under the applicable Union harmonisation legislation, in a language easily understood by consumers in the Member State concerned (Regulation (EU) 2023/988, Article 19(d)).^[3]

A new regulation is adopted. Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 on the safety of toys was published on 12 December 2025, entered into force on the twentieth day after publication (1 January 2026) and applies from 1 August 2030; Articles 28 to 44 (notification of conformity assessment bodies) and 49 to 55 (among them delegated powers, committee procedure and penalties) apply from 1 January 2026 (Article 59). It repeals the directive from 1 August 2030 (Article 56). Its Article 6 keeps the user limitations, now including at least the minimum age of the user, and the category warnings in its Annex III, and requires all those warnings to be clearly visible before purchase, including in distance sales (Article 6(1) to (3)). Annex III, point 1, adds presentation rules: warnings are preceded by ‘Warning’ or a generic pictogram, and characters have an x-height of at least 1.2 mm (0.9 mm where the largest surface of the packaging is under 80 cm²). Toys placed on the market in conformity with the directive before 1 August 2030 may continue to be made available (Article 57(1)).^[2]