Symbols and Information
Look on the health and
safety page for other info.
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CE Mark
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Every manufacturer or first supplier in the Community
must place a CE mark on his toy to indicate that it has
been made in line with the safety requirements of the
directive. It is an enforcement mark (not a sign of
quality or safety) and was established to ensure free
movement of products throughout the European Union - a
sort of passport for toys. It has to appear, along with
the first supplier's name and address "in a visible,
legible and indelible form" on the toy or its packaging. |
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The Lion Mark
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The Lion Mark was developed in 1988 by the BTHA (British
Toy and Hobby Association) to perform a function
not covered by the CE Mark, namely, to act as a
recognisable consumer symbol denoting safety and
quality. To display the Lion Mark, a BTHA member must
have signed a licence agreement with the Association
which sets out the terms of its use. Failure to abide by
these terms will lead to revocation of the licence. The
Lion Mark also indicates the member follows the BTHA
Code of Practice which includes rules covering toy
advertising and counterfeiting. Unlike the CE Mark,
therefore, the Lion Mark is truly a consumer symbol. It
means that consumers can be certain that a toy which
bears the Lion Mark is safe and conforms with all
relevant safety information. |
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Approved Lion Mark Retailer
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In
1991 the British Association of Toy Retailers (BATR)
joined up with the BTHA to launch the Approved Lion Mark
Retailer Scheme. Members of the BATR also follow a
strict Code of Practice which demands they only sell
products conforming to BS EN 71. As such, BATR members
can display the above sign in their shops. This does not
mean that all products in the shop carry the Lion Mark
but that all products meet the Toy Safety Standard. |
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Age Warning
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This logo began appearing on toys in 1995 and means
Warning - do
not give the toy to children less than three years, nor
allow them to play with it.
With the symbol or in instructions included in the pack
will be given details of the hazard, e.g. "because of
small parts". This symbol will gradually replace the
current warning "not suitable for children under 3
years", which has often been confused with age advice -
those discretionary guidelines used by the manufacturer
to help the buyer match the product with a child's age,
interest and ability. |
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