UK: Updates to the Toys (Safety) Regulations

 

The United Kingdom has published an update to the Toys (Safety) Regulations.

The regulatory update bears the name of Draft of The Toys (Safety) (Permitted Uses for Cobalt) (England and Wales and Scotland) Regulations 2026.

The objective of the measure is to amend the Toys Regulation following a review of evidence submitted and advice from the Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety of Non-Food and Non-Medicinal Consumer Products (SAG-CS) on the safety of using cobalt in toys.

Cobalt is currently classified as Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Reprotoxic (CMR) under GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulations.

Cobalt metal (CAS: 7440-48-4) in all forms has a harmonised classification as a Category 1B carcinogen, Category 2 mutagen, and a Category 1B reproductive toxicant via all routes of exposure (Table 1) under the GB Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) regulation No 1272/2008 as amended by The Chemicals (Health and Safety) and Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019. Additionally, cobalt metal is classified as a Category 1 skin and respiratory sensitiser.

To find out more about product compliance for toys, do not hesitate to contact the Product Compliance Institute directly.