Toy Safety Conference in Billund
Nothing is currently driving the European toy industry as much as the amendment of the Toy Safety Directive. This is also reflected in the attendance at the two-day conference in Billund. Among others, Toy Industries of Europe (TIE) and the industry associations from Spain, France and Sweden were represented. DVSI Managing Director Ulrich Brobeil represented the German toy industry. Maureen Logghe, Director General Quality and Safety, accepted the invitation on behalf of the Belgian EU Council Presidency. Other representatives from Austria, Slovakia, Romania and Latvia were also present.
Aiming for a practical regulation
MEP Marion Walsmann, rapporteur in the IMCO Committee of the European Parliament, emphasised in a video that a practical regulation without disproportionate burdens for the toy industry will be adopted. MEP Brando Benifei focussed - also in a video message - on the issue of online marketplaces and connected toys/AI. Maureen Logghe reported in detail from the Council Working Group. Three of the six meetings have already taken place. The other three will follow on 27 March, 15 April and 29 April. With regard to chemical safety, the situation is being kept under review. No decision has yet been made here. The topics of online marketplaces, chemical safety and transitional and sell-off periods are still under discussion. In Billund, the industry was once again able to make it clear that it needs time and that the currently planned deadlines are not practicable. The industry's demand: transitional period of at least 54 months / deletion of the sell-off period from the text or a period of at least 10 years.
Focus on the issue of online marketplaces
The vote in the European Parliament will take place on 13 March. Some amendments from the ENVI Committee have been reintroduced (nitrosamines, complete ban on natural elements such as cadmium and lead). Several MEPs have called for a longer transition period, while other MEPs are calling for third-party testing of toys with artificial intelligence.
TIE and its member organisations, including DVSI, have recently been in contact with key MEPs in the process, but at the moment it is difficult to predict what the outcome of the vote will be. What is clear is that the toy industry's communication on the issue of online marketplaces a fortnight ago has been noticed by MEPs.
The adopted text will remain the starting position for the European Parliament's negotiations when the various EU institutions have to agree on a final text at the end of this year.
Source: www.newsletter.dvsi.de