Following the recent recall of more than twenty million toys by US manufacturer Mattel due to their lead content or their magnets coming loose, Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans is backing calls for new toy safety laws at EU level.

In the UK products which have been recalled include Barbie pet and furniture playsets and Fisher Price toys.

MEPs meeting in Strasbourg vote on the issue this week. The existing Toy Safety Directive is over twenty years old and many MEPs want it renewed in the light of recent toy safety scares.

Speaking from Strasbourg, Jill Evans said:

"Recent events only serve to make an even stronger case for bringing forward new legislation to outlaw dangerous toys. Recalls affecting such well known brands as Barbie caused great surprise and concern and have been a timely reminder of the need to update existing laws.

"The existing EU Toy Safety Directive dates from 1985 and needs renewing in the light of scientific and technological developments in the intervening years. The legislator needs to reclaim responsibility for the area of toy safety, rather than delegating it to the industry concerned through standardisation.

"Specifically, we need to see a clear ban on the use of all substances known to be potentially cancer causing and on all artificial perfumes and flavourings added to toys.

"This must then be properly enforced and monitored with strict penalties for offenders. We must take no risks when it comes to children's safety."

Ends

Note - the European Parliament votes on toy safety proposals on Wednesday 26 September, an amendment from Ms Evans parliamentary group calls for the outlawing of "substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction as well as very toxic compounds" and "all fragrances, sensitizers and endocrine disruptors".