All toys must be CE marked. This is not a consumer mark but is a declaration to the authorities that the supplier has ensured that the toy complies with EU legal requirements and allows freedom of movement of goods across the European Union. These requirements are set out in the Toys (Safety) Regulations in the UK with other EU Member States having the same rules. The law is supported by harmonised safety standards for toys including the well-known EN71 series of standards and EN62115 for battery operated toys.

Clive Shelton from Clive Shelton Associates, who are safety advisors to many UK toy companies, explains how the safety procedures work: 'Suppliers usually test finished products to ensure compliance with the standards. Testing requires laboratory facilities and covers mechanical, flammability, chemical and many other aspects. The laboratories exist in the EU and at source in the Far East and elsewhere.'

According to Clive, ensuring a toy meets the stringent requirements can be an expensive necessity: 'Testing costs vary enormously depending on the toy and its complexity of materials and construction and has a lead time for laboratories of five to ten days depending on how busy they are'

It's a priority that all safety certificates which demonstrate compliance are retained by suppliers and importers in case of investigation, but the rules and regulations are often changing and it is important to be kept up to date. A new Toys Safety Directive is due to be published in 2008 which will add many more rules relating to toy safety.

Trade associations such as the Baby Products Association (BPA), the British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA) and EQUITOY, which represents toy importers, can all provide information on latest the requirements and updates on toy safety. Clive's company specialises in this field and can provide information on a case by case basis. he can be contacted at cliveshelton@toysafe.co.uk