Sir,

The EU toy safety requirements are amongst the most stringent in the world.  Toy safety is a key priority for the EU.   Thanks to strict EU safety laws, thousands of potentially hazardous  items will never reach our shelves this Christmas.

It is vital that you always check to make sure that any toy, or manufactured product, has the CE marking.  This mark is a commitment from the manufacturer that the market product has met all rigorous EU safety standards and contains no hazardous materials or chemicals.  If you spot any safety issue with a toy, you must inform the manufacturer and if you get in touch with my office, I can contact the European Commission on your behalf.   Please feel free to check out the EU’s Rapid Alert System website which lists all banned products, including toys, that have been withdrawn from the European market http://ec.europa.eu/rapex .

Yours sincerely

Catherine Stihler

Labour MEP for Scotland