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Regulation of children's toys in supermarkets and restaurants

Toys regulated for child safety

15% of toys on the market are dangerous for children. The General Directorate for Competition, Consumption and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) analyzes thousands of toys every year and checks them before they are put on the market. In a few figures, 1770 controls on 14,000 models of children's toys were carried out by the DGCCRF. 520 toys were taken out of the batch and thus analyzed in depth. In the end, 100 000 toys were destroyed for non-conformity.

Soft toys, disguises, make-up palettes, dolls, slimes, are the main targets of non-conformities, flammable, choking risk, all these threats are identified on this type of products. Several materials are analyzed for the safety of children. It should be noted that the dangerous character is mainly found in toys for children under three years old. A disturbing finding, the DGCCRF warns distributors.

The toys on the children's menu are also checked

At the same time, the restaurant toy market has evolved and become much stricter and regulated. Indeed, in a circular consumption approach, the plastic surprise toys of the children's menu are prohibited. It is therefore necessary to favor the "eco-responsible games" with materials such as cardboard, paper, wood and others that are recycled, recyclable or even biodegradable. These regulations restrict the room for maneuver and choice on surprise toys for restaurants. Distributors must therefore renew themselves and offer something more innovative than a coloring book. Moreover, several regulatory obligations are imposed for the safety of children.

Mr SHI, co-director of the SME Welcome Family, highlights the importance of these standards :"Different standards are applicable to toys. Standards which are different according to the age of the children. But one remains mandatory for all: the CE marking. It attests to the compliance of the toy and its creation with safety requirements. We can not put in the hands of the youngest products that can make them run a risk to their health

Special features are put in place for toys for children under 36 months. Indeed, additional warnings must be displayed on toys that are not suitable for them and thus highlight the existing dangers with warnings such as:"small elements (choking)","long rope - strangulation (danger)" or"small balls - choking (danger)".

The first innovators are the large fast food chains, their goal to highlight their children's menu and keep them competitive with surprise toys that meet the standards. For example, at Burger King in May 2021, children had the choice between a toy without plastic or a dematerialized gift (a movie in VOD). Indeed, giving a choice is still a strategic and well thought act to not disappoint children.

Discover the surprise toys for the children's menu!