Fear to play with it. Half of the toys for toddlers had irregularities

In 23 toy models, out of 50 tested, irregularities were found – the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection. He added that 13 models, including rattles and teethers, had structural defects creating, among others Risk of choking or suffocation.

As UOKiK pointed out, the Trade Inspection report was created as a result of an inspection carried out by eight voivodship inspectorates; 50 toy models for children under 3 years old were checked: rattles, teethers and interactive toys.

Irregularities were found in 23 models. In 13 cases, inspectors detected structural defects (6 of these models also had formal defects). In toys such as “Rat Brab” and “Rabbit mascot”, elements with inappropriate shape and size were recorded, which after swallowing can block the child's respiratory tract. In the “butterfly colored butterfly” toy, it was recognized that the child could get tangled in links, and the toy “musical animals” have burrs that could cause wounds or abrasions. In the “hammer” toy, inspectors detected an exceeded allowable acoustic pressure level, harmful to hearing. The “cuddly doll” had a fibrous material filling, which the child could choking, and the teether for babies had too thin foil packaging, creating a risk of suffocation.

In 16 models, formal irregularities were found, including No warnings (10 models), no manufacturer's and importer data (4 models) and no instructions for use (2 models).

As indicated in the report, 10 entrepreneurs, in which toys found only formal irregularities, took repair and 6 already completed them.

In connection with the control, the Trade Inspection sent 8 applications to the initiation of administrative proceedings to the President of UOKiK – it was indicated. It has been added that 5 applications will be forwarded to the office after the inspectors' activities. The effect of proceedings may be to impose penalties up to 100,000. zloty. For any formal incompatibility, e.g. the lack of data from the manufacturer or importer, there is a penalty of up to 10,000. PLN, and the lack of marking is punishable by up to 20,000 zloty. – explained.

UOKiK appealed to consumers not to buy unmarked toys. If you have a dangerous product, it is worth informing the manufacturer or importer (distributor) and the Trade Inspection in the province in which the consumer purchased it. The office advises to read the labels thoroughly and warnings placed on them.

According to UOKiK, it is especially worth paying attention to whether the toy has a visible, legible and durable CE sign. “It is the manufacturer's declaration that the product meets the relevant EU requirements. It can then be presumed that the toy will be safe for small users” – emphasized the office. He added to check if the toy has a responsible entity (manufacturer/importer), which will facilitate the claim if necessary.

The Trade Inspection conducted inspections from January to April 2025 in Białystok, Bydgoszcz, Katowice, Kielce, Lublin, Poznań, Warsaw and Wrocław. The examined toys came from China (43 models), Poland (5 models), Belarus (1 model) and Sri Lanka (1 model). UOKiK's dangerous toys are reported to the EU Safety Gate system so that it does not reach European consumers.

Trade Inspection (IH) is a control body for protecting the interests and rights of consumer and the economic interests of the state. In terms of substantive, she is supervised by the President of UOKiK. In the remaining scope – 16 voivodship IH inspectors are supervised by voivods. (PAP)

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