Brexit Deadline Approaching; Certain Requirements to Impact Toys

brexit-puzzleDecember 8, 2020 | The Toy Association is reminding members of the approaching Brexit deadline on December 31, 2020. While the exact details are still being negotiated, there are some changes that will impact toy companies, including the UK Conformity Assessment Requirements which mandate a UK conformity assessment mark (“UKCA”) beginning in January 2022. This mark will be required in addition to the EU-mandated “CE” mark if the products are also sold in the EU.

What toy companies need to know:

  • The effective date incorporates a one-year grace period from the original requirement and will reportedly not impact existing stock on shelves.

  • However, a UK address (of either a UK-based manufacturer, company, brand, the UK importer, or the authorized representative) is required on all toys introduced into the UK market on or after January 1, 2021.

  • The UK will require declaration of conformity with UK standards (e.g. BS EN 71 standards), for products to earn the UKCA mark.

“These requirements do not enhance safety in any way; will likely be confusing to UK and EU consumers; and are redundant in that demonstrating conformity with UK requirements is in addition to demonstrating conformity with the identical (at least for now) EU standards,” said Alan Kaufman, senior vice president of technical affairs at The Toy Association. “Despite intense advocacy spearheaded by our colleagues at the British Toy & Hobby Association, the UK authorities do not seem willing to modify the standards other than to grant the additional year for application of the UKCA.”

Members will be kept apprised of developments on this issue and may reach out to The Toy Association’s Alan Kaufman with any questions.