The European Parliament’s Internal Market Committee voted unanimously in favour of the amended toy safety directive on 6 November 2008, paving the way for a majority vote in the parliament. “Since 80% of toys sold in Europe and 95% of toys in the UK are imported from China, we need a directive that effectively counters the risk of unsafe products," said Arlene McCarthy, who chairs the committee.

The draft directive contains a far longer list of substances regarded as health hazards and which may not be used in toys than the 1998 Act. In particular, there is a complete ban on the use of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and hexavalent chrome. The directive will include an annex with a detailed list of products classified as toys.

It is not yet clear whether manufacturers will be responsible for declaring that their toys meet EU safety standards. Some MEPs, especially from social democratic parties, are calling for independent certification but conservatives fear that this would spell the end for national quality seals.

It is expected that the European Parliament will adopt the directive in December 2008.