Committee raises concerns about EU plans for digital toy passports

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The changes, proposed by the European Commission, would change EU rules governing toy safety. If agreed, toys sold in the EU, including those sold online, would be required to come with a ‘Digital Product Passport’ under the proposals. This would provide safety information on the toy, updating the current paper-based requirements.

At present, the regulations ban toys containing carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic chemicals (CMRs). These rules would be extended to cover further classes of harmful chemicals, including endocrine disruptors, which interfere with the body’s hormones, and respiratory sensitisers, which produce an irreversible allergic reaction.

Any UK toy producer placing goods on the EU market would need to adhere to the new rules. While the requirements for products sold on the Great Britain market would not change, the rules would apply in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework. However, the Committee notes that the UK Government has not consulted manufacturers in Northern Ireland on the likely impact of the new rules.

In its report, the Committee sets out its position in a letter to Kevin Hollinrake, Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business. The Committee asks Minister Hollinrake to update it on the Government’s progress towards reviewing sector-specific legislation covering toys, and address how the Government’s strategy for safety regulation diverges from the EU’s proposed approach.

It also asks whether the Government will consult manufacturers on the EU’s proposals, given its potential application in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.

European Scrutiny Committee Chair Sir William Cash said:

“These new rules could have a significant impact on toy producers in the UK. While we note that the Government’s assessment is at an early stage, we call for the Government to provide more information on the extent of divergence between the UK and EU on toy safety.

“The Committee shares the Government’s view that Northern Ireland must have unfettered access to the rest of the UK market. We urge the Government to set out how it will make sure that remains the case, and how it will consult NI manufacturers on the likely impact of the new rules.”

Also in today’s publication:

Windsor Framework: Dental fillings and changes to the EU Mercury Regulation

Two documents propose to amend the EU Mercury Regulation, to prohibit dental amalgam and mercury added products (MAPs) respectively. The Governments finds that the former may cause divergence between the UK and EU, and will discuss it in more detail with EU policymakers.

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

Image: UK Parliament/Elspeth Keep