European Toy Industry Asks Leaders to Hold Online Marketplaces Liable in Sale of Dangerous Toys

June 23, 2020 | According to a new report released by Toy Industries of Europe (TIE) in coordination with seven EU-based toy associations, 97 percent of toys that were acquired in a test purchase project, did not comply with EU toy safety standards and 76 percent had defects that made them dangerous to children.

The “EU Toy Safety: the problem of unreputable sellers on online marketplaces” report further asks EU leaders to take proactive measures to prevent the sale of these products and reactive measures to ensure the quick removal of unsafe toys from online marketplaces, including a “notice, take-down & stay-down” policy, cooperation with market surveillance authorities, and traceability requirements.

TIE also notes that while all four online marketplaces included in the project were presented with the findings last October, toys that appeared identical to more than half of the dangerous toys were still found on three of the four marketplaces as of June.

“Our counterparts in Europe echo many of the concerns we have with the largely unregulated online marketplace that are outlined in our own white paper, proving that this is a global fight and not one confined to the U.S.,” said Rebecca Mond, vice president of federal government affairs at The Toy Association. “Not only must we hold sellers of fake and unsafe products accountable but all those that turn a blind eye to them as well. Not enough is being done to ensure the safety of toys sold through online channels, and The Toy Association will continue to advocate and hold those who put children everywhere at risk accountable.”

The Toy Association’s Intellectual Property (IP) white paper is currently being reviewed and updated by members of the Association’s IP Committee. This update to “The Real Threat of Fake Toys” will focus on key issues Toy Association members have identified as the top contributory factors to the increase of counterfeits, knockoffs, and otherwise unsafe toys sold online. The Association is also continuing to advocate in support of legislation like INFORM Consumers, SANTA Act and SHOP SAFE at the state and federal level.

Members with questions or feedback on this issue or who would like to be on the IP Committee can contact Rebecca Mond, vice president of federal government affairs.