Regulatory Expert Warns Shoppers to be Wary of Christmas Toy Dangers

As part of this year’s festive shopping, a global product information consultancy is issuing strong warnings of the potential risks and dangers of some children’s toys and products that are often sold online and what buyers should be looking out for. 

Following several serious product recalls concerning toys and products which were sold on some major online retailers, regulatory experts at the product information people, Ashbury, share their tips for what consumers should look out for on the label when buying Christmas presents for children this year.   

One recall was made for a paint set, sold on AliExpress, because there were serious risks of toxicity, with the paints in the set containing the prohibited ingredient lead, plus  illegal levels of N-Nitrosamines and N-Nitrosatable substances which are considered hazardous due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic nature. 

Bharti Gorania-Wood, Regulatory Team Lead at Ashbury, explained: “Learning of recalls like the paint set and other similar instances is of great concern and it clearly highlights what can happen when regulatory services aren't implemented correctly, or at all, during product development, labelling, and compliance reviews.

“The UK’s legal framework for children’s toys was re-established after Brexit, by the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 which is currently identical to the EU Toy Safety Directive. It imposes obligations on manufacturers, importers, distributors and authorised representatives, and details what must be complied with before a product can even enter the UK.

“UK enforcement bodies can intercept this supply chain at any point to test a product for safety and that it meets all relevant legislation. In cases of non-compliance or where there’s reason to believe the product poses a risk to the health and safety of a user, action may be taken. Typically, notices are issued or the item may be recalled from the UK market. Offences can result in fines, or even imprisonment, in some cases.”

And it’s not just online shops that are susceptible to safety recalls, says Bharti. “There are hundreds of shocking and severely dangerous examples of insufficient products making it onto the marketplace both online and at major high street stores through a lack of testing, compliance, and regulatory checks.” 

Many reports of toxicity have been reported from items imported from China, including a “Barbie” style doll with levels of phthalates that exceeded the maximum level allowed in the UK, levels of which could cause possible damage to the reproductive system. 

The product also failed to meet requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 or REACH Regulations, and have since been intercepted at border controls, either being rejected or destroyed.  

“Parents and other adults buy items expecting them to have been tested and meet safety standards and, while most do, there are certain things we can look out for to ensure they are fit for purpose and have been through the relevant legislative checks.  

“The onus is on retailers and manufacturers to ensure these are carried out effectively, but as seen from product recalls in the UK market, they can, and do, fall short on occasion. And when it comes to product safety, there is absolutely no room to risk bypassing these vital compliance processes – doing so could have potentially fatal repercussions, as well as cause serious reputational and financial damage.”  

Bharti’s advice to consumers include:

    • Research | Consider the brand selling or suppliers stocking the product to ensure they are reputable and can demonstrate that the products are genuine (and that they have been through the proper checks) 

    • Be Wary | If it is much cheaper than it is found on other trusted supplier sites, it may be a duplicate of the genuine version you’re seeking. And, if it looks or sounds too good to be true, it probably is 

    • Read the Label | Always read the label warnings and check for a UK or EU address to ensure it’s been approved for sale in these markets. Also look out for accredited marks such as UKCA, UKNI, or CE certifications 

    • Check the Status | Consumers can also visit https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls to check if and why a product has been recalled. 

Launched in 2011, Ashbury is a UK leading consultancy service provider, helping businesses navigate the complex world of product information regulations for food and non-food products. Its expert regulatory team guides clients from a place of uncertainty to complete reassurance, helping them to understand, apply and comply with domestic and international regulations, and empowering them to help their customers make safe and informed choices. For more information, please call 0845 459 5019, email hello@ashbury.global, or visit www.ashbury.global. 

www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-recall-primark-character-wooden-plates-2210-0007