MEPs demand that toys meet EU standards

2.01.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 27th Sep 2007

London Lib Dem MEP Sarah Ludford has welcomed a joint resolution on the safety of consumer products, and which emphasises children's toys, that was overwhelmingly adopted by MEPs in the European Parliament. With 660 votes in favour, and 18 against, the report carries considerable weight and calls on the European Commission and individual Member States to take all the necessary legislative and administrative action to ensure that consumer goods comply fully with existing EU standards, but also do not put the health and safety of consumers at risk.

Commenting on this victory for children's health, Sarah said:

"24% of all detected unsafe products are children's toys. Recalls of unsafe toys are fully justified, but are merely a means of last resort. In reality, recalls do not provide effective consumer protection because the average rate of return for toy recalls is very low, the vast majority of unsafe toys remain with consumers. We need to ensure that toys are safe before they arrive in the hands of children."

"With the health of our children at risk, we need tougher enforcement and stricter penalties for those manufacturers who flout the rules in the current system."