Of the 164 products containing a toxic metal, six originated in the EU, contrary to labeling data. The presence of such substances raises questions over the integrity of EU standards and regulations for children’s products. A large proportion of products containing toxic metals also contained the Russian conformity mark which supposedly confirms compliance with existing national safety requirements. This raises concerns among safety advocates in the EECCA region that the conformity mark does not ensure consumer safety. The good news emerging from the study is that 70 per cent of children’s products tested did not contain toxic metals above levels of concern. Most of these products came from China but some were from Russia, Armenia and Belarus. This suggests that manufacturers are capable of producing toys with low or no toxic metals present. The study also demonstrates that it is technically and economically feasible to entirely eliminate toxic metals from children’s products.

Year: 2013

From collection: Toxic metals in children’s products: an insight into the market in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia

Cartographer: GRID-Arendal