Biznes Fakty
Choking or suffocation hazard. Alarming results from toy inspection
Elements with unsuitable shapes and dimensions that may lead to choking hazards for children, ropes that can entangle them, or burrs that pose a risk of injury—these are some of the issues identified during the examination of fifty toy models.
The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection reported that the Trade Inspection’s findings were based on an inspection conducted by eight provincial inspectorates, which examined 50 models of toys intended for children under 3 years old: rattles, teethers and interactive toys.
Irregularities were detected in 23 models. In 13 instances, inspectors identified design flaws, with 6 of those models also having formal deficiencies.
Toys posing risks to children’s safety
In toys such as the „crab rattle” and „rabbit mascot,” elements with inappropriate shapes and sizes were observed, which could obstruct a child’s airway if swallowed. In the „butterfly colorful ropes” toy, it was noted that a child might become entangled in the ropes, while the „Musical Animals” toy has barbs that could inflict injuries or abrasions.
For the „hammer” toy, inspectors determined that the permissible sound pressure level was surpassed, which poses a risk to hearing. The „cuddly doll” contained a fibrous filling that could lead to choking, and the baby teether had a foil wrapper that was too thin, presenting a suffocation hazard.
Formal discrepancies were identified in 16 models, including the absence of warnings (10 models), missing manufacturer and importer information (4 models), and lack of usage instructions (2 models).
The report indicated that 10 businesses whose toys were found to have solely formal irregularities took corrective measures, with 6 having already completed those actions.
Eight requests to initiate legal proceedings
Following the inspection, the Trade Inspection submitted 8 requests to the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection to commence administrative proceedings. It was noted that 5 of these requests will be sent to the office once the inspectors’ activities are concluded. The proceedings could result in penalties of up to PLN 100,000. For each formal non-compliance, such as the absence of manufacturer or importer data, fines of up to PLN 10,000 may be imposed, while failing to display CE marking may incur a fine of up to PLN 20,000.
The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has urged consumers to refrain from purchasing unmarked toys. In the event of encountering a hazardous product, it is advisable to notify the manufacturer or importer (distributor) as well as the Trade Inspection in the region where the product was bought. The Office recommends careful examination of labels and warnings provided on the toys.
According to the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, it is particularly important to check whether the toy displays a clear, legible, and durable CE mark. „This signifies the manufacturer’s assertion that the product complies with applicable EU standards. Consequently, it can be assumed that the toy will be safe for young users,” emphasized the office. It also suggested verifying that the toy includes the details of the accountable party (manufacturer/importer), as this would facilitate the enforcement of rights if necessary.
About the inspection
The Trade Inspection conducted inspections from January to April 2025 in Białystok, Bydgoszcz, Katowice, Kielce, Lublin, Poznań, Warsaw, and Wrocław. The toys examined originated from China (43 models), Poland (5 models), Belarus (1 model), and Sri Lanka (1 model). The Office of Competition and Consumer Protection reports hazardous toys to the EU Safety Gate system to prevent them from reaching European consumers.
The Trade Inspection (IH) serves as a regulatory body aimed at safeguarding the interests and rights of consumers as well as the economic interests of the state. In terms of content, it operates under the supervision of the President of the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection, while 16 provincial IH inspectors are overseen by the governors in other aspects.
