The European Parliament law last week gave the final green light to the ban on harmful chemicals in toys, including the toxic “forever chemicals” PFAS. Member of the European Parliament Sara Matthieu negotiated the law in the Environment Committee: “We must be able to buy safe toys for our children with peace of mind. From plasticine to building blocks and paint, carefree playtime is not a luxury but a right of every child. That’s why we are banning the use of hormone disruptors, PFAS, and other harmful chemicals in our toys.”
PFAS in Children’s Hands
PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” hardly break down in the environment and accumulate in our bodies. These substances are linked to serious health problems such as cancer, reduced fertility, and a weakened immune system. Matthieu: “Children often put toys in their mouths. But toys also wear out, ending up in house dust. Children who crawl a lot can ingest the chemicals this way. With this ban, we protect our children from toxic substances that can remain in their bodies for decades.”
In addition to PFAS, the new law also bans 34 carcinogenic bisphenols and all hormone disruptors from toys. For Matthieu, it’s about more than just safe toys: “We start in the children’s room, but we don’t stop there. PFAS don’t belong anywhere—not in our clothes, not in our pans, not in our bodies. This ban on toys is the starting signal for a PFAS-free Europe, which Groen has been fighting for years.”
AI toys under scrutiny
The new law also aims to protect children from mental health risks from interactive toys that use artificial intelligence. Manufacturers must pay extra attention to this during their safety checks. Matthieu: “Interactive robots, smart toys, and gaming constantly attract children’s attention. Even in my environment, I see children scrolling like crazy. This can lead to addiction and other mental health issues. This is certainly an improvement, but not enough.”
According to Matthieu, this protection is not coming a day too soon: “Think of talking dolls that collect personal data or game consoles that encourage children to play for ever longer. This new regulation ensures that the safety assessment of such toys specifically considers children’s vulnerabilities.”
Digital passport must tackle Temu and Shein
Recent research shows that toys from Chinese online stores like Temu pose significant safety risks to children. Products with dirt-cheap prices often do not comply with European safety regulations.
Despite strict controls by customs and the Federal Public Service Economy, a lot of unsafe toys still slip into Belgium. In Belgium, this amounts to a staggering 37 million packages per month that have to be inspected by just 170 customs officers. That’s why every toy will receive a digital product passport, helping the inspection and customs authorities that must monitor toy imports. This is also good news for the environment. Matthieu: “This allows us to verify that all toys arrive on our shelves without posing any health risks to our children. After all, many toys come to our stores from outside Europe. Moreover, our toys are easier to recycle because manufacturers can see at a glance what their toys are made of.”
Goodbye annoying toy noise
Europe is imposing stricter noise limits for toys. Sudden, short bursts of noise, such as tinkling sounds, can damage the hearing of babies or young children. Matthieu: “Noises as low as 100 decibels can cause hearing loss. Finally limiting noise levels is not only good for children, but it will also give many parents a little more peace of mind.”
The political deal on the new toy law was reached in April 2025 between the European Commission, the Member States, and the European Parliament. With today’s vote, the legislation has now been formally finalized. The Member States now have time to transpose the European rules into national legislation.
