Vol. 482 No. 5
94 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will give details of the safeguards in place to protect consumers from faulty children's toys; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18448/97]
There are regulations which prohibit the placing of toys on the market unless they are safe. These are entitled Statutory Instrument No. 32 of 1990 European Communities (Safety of Toys) Regulations which implement Council Directive 88/378/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the member states concerning the safety of toys.
Toys must carry (i) a CE mark indicating that they conform to the relevant harmonised EC standards and-or that they have been approved by an approved body and (ii) on the toys or on the packaging, the name and address of the manufacturer or his authorised representative established within the Community or the importer of the toys into the Community.
The person first putting toys on the market must keep available for inspection a dossier giving detailed information about the manufacturestorage of the toys and a description of the means whereby conformity with the legal requirements was established.
The regulations apply not only to the manufacturer or importer into the European Union but to anyone who supplies toys in the course of business.
Toys placed on the market prior to the marking of these regulations are covered by Statutory Instrument No. 44 of 1985 which sets out the maximum toxicity and cellulosic levels allowable.
The regulations are implemented by the office of the Director of Consumer Affairs.
