Toys

Chemistry sets are considered to be toys when designed or intended, whether or not exclusively, for use in play by children under 14 years of age.

Disguise costumes may include carnival costumes, fancy dress and outfits used in play to represent a character, such as a policeman or woman, cowboy, princess or cartoon character.

DIY (do-it-yourself) toys are toys in kit form which enable a child to assemble the items themselves. Toys within this category may include relatively simple items such as plastic or wooden bricks through to more complex items with a number of components which a child might need to assemble using tools.

Dolls are considered to be toys when designed or intended, whether or not exclusively, for use in play by children under 14 years of age.

Electric toys are considered to be toys when designed or intended, whether or not exclusively, for use in play by children under 14 years of age. Electric toys may include construction sets, experimental sets and computer toys.

Expanding toys may include novelty items such as eggs for toy animals which grow on contact with water and toys which serve a more functional purpose such as a t-shirt or child’s towel which can be used after it has expanded.

Finger paints are water-based, semi-solid or liquid, coloured mixtures that are specially designed for children to apply by fingers and hands directly to suitable surfaces.

Microwaveable toys may include plush items that are placed in the microwave with the intention of warming them up so they can be cuddled by a child.

Examples of toy musical instruments include plastic trumpets, drums or novelty whistles and flutes when they are designed or intended, whether or not exclusively, for use in play by children under 14 years of age.

Puffer balls are made from elastomeric material, often a visco-elastic polymer. They normally have a soft central part and are easy to pull and press into variable shapes. They are manufactured in a variety of colours, including fluorescent.

Remote controlled toys may include remote control cars and other similar products. These toys are designed or intended, whether or not exclusively, for use in play by children under 14 years of age.

This factsheet applies to toys which are designed, whether or not exclusively, to be ridden on by a child.

Slime is a wet and elastic material that comes in all different colours and textures. Slime is considered a toy if it is designed or intended, whether or not exclusively, for use in play by children under 14 years of age. They can pose significant risks to the health and safety of children.

Soft and stuffed toys may include teddy bears and similar articles. They are the kind of toys which attract very young infants (under 3 years of age) and with which children instinctively identify.

Sports and outdoor play products are considered to be toys when designed or intended, whether or not exclusively, for use in play by children under 14 years of age.

This factsheet applies to swings, slides and similar activity toys for domestic use. This type of products is intended to bear the mass of one or more children and for children to play on or in.

Books are considered to be toys when designed or intended, whether or not exclusively, for use in play by children under 14 years of age. Not all books are toys, the key issue to consider is whether the playing value has been introduced in an intended way by the manufacturer.

Toy cosmetics come in a variety of different types from face paints to bath products for children with a play value. These products are both cosmetics and toys and will need to comply with both EU cosmetics and EU toy legislation.

Trampolines are considered toys if they are intended for use in a home setting and by children under 14 years of age.

Toys for use in water include inflatable and non-inflatable items designed to be used in shallow water and under adult supervision. They have a diameter of less than 1,20 m (except for ride-on toys) and are capable of carrying or supporting a child on the water.

Toys made from wood which are designed or intended, whether or not exclusively, for use in play by children under 14 years of age.

Writing instruments and stationery products which are designed or intended, whether or not exclusively, for use in play by children under 14 years of age.