The Minister for Inclusion, Volunteering and Consumer Rights Julia Farrugia Portelli has announced that with immediate effect new and important amendments have come into force in the Toy Safety Legislation which regulates the amount and the type of chemical substances allowed in toys. This is after the Cabinet of Ministers, a few days ago, approved these European directives in the said legislation.
The amendments came into force as stipulated in the European directives that govern the regulations on the safety of toys in the member states.
The new legislation establishes limit values for aniline, which is a substance classified as carcinogenic, a chemical that when it comes into contact with the skin can lead to cancer. For example, aniline can be found in colored toy materials such as textiles, and aniline can also be present as an impurity in paint colors.
The new rules also require that if one of the other 61 allergenic substances are present in the toys in a dose of more than 100mg/kg, this must be listed on the toy’s label, on the packaging, or on the leaflet included on the toy box.
The directive lists 55 allergenic substances whose use in toys is prohibited or restricted in the European Union. This amendment extends this list and introduces the prohibition of three other substances which are atranol, chloroatranol, and methyl heptine carbonate.
Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli spoke about how in recent years the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) has continued with the process of evolving itself and widening its scope its not to look at consumer protection as something isolated from the educational aspect. She explained that what is being announced today goes beyond simply introducing amendments, because “Today is a message of awareness to parents and the public in general to be aware of the details that are on the box of the a toy.”
The Chairperson of the MCCAA Eng. Helga Pizzuto urged the public to “look for the CE mark on products and to read any warning label or packaging carefully when buying toys, in order to make informed decisions.”
Traders are reminded to check with their suppliers before buying new stock to ensure the toys comply with the new requirements.
The public can report any case of an unsafe product to the MCCAA by visiting the Authority’s website mccaa.org.mt and submitting the details in the “Form for deficiencies in the market”.
Photos: MIVC
