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Updated guidance on the latest changes can be found on Gov.uk   

Designation of Electric Toy Safety Standard 

The standard for Electric Toy Safety (EN IEC 62115:2020/A11:2020) has been designated under the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/1881) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/designated-standards-toy-safety

The standard specifies safety requirements for electric toys and makes some changes to increase button and coin battery safety for toys, going beyond the requirements in the existing designated version of the standard (EN 62115:2005). Only the application of the designated standard will give a presumption of conformity to the essential requirements of the Regulations applying to the product.

The reference to the designated standard is accompanied by an informative note which provides additional advisory guidance to business on coin and button batteries safety. The guidance encourages businesses to provide important information to parents and guardians at the point of sale of the toy, as well as information once the toy is in use and the packaging disposed of.

Changes to toys and cosmetics legislation

The first statutory instrument amending the UK toys and cosmetics regulations has been laid before Parliament.  The Toys and Cosmetic Products (Restriction of Chemical Substances) Regulations 2022 make changes to the toy and cosmetic regulations annexes, either entailing an amendment to the permitted level or the prohibition of specific chemicals in toys and cosmetic products.  The changes in respect of CMRs in cosmetics and fragrance allergens in toys came into effect on 15 October, and changes in respect of chemicals assessed by the Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety came into force on 15 December 2022.

You can find out further information by reading the Planned changes to toys and cosmetics regulations GOV.UK news article.

The job of the Trading Standards Service is to protect consumers and legitimate businesses in Newcastle upon Tyne. To do this we enforce government legislation, provide advice for businesses, deal with thousands of consumer complaints and business enquiries every year and investigate and prosecute offenders.

To report someone you suspect of selling illegal goods please submit an online report.

We have over 8,000 business premises in Newcastle and these include farms, importers, multinational chains and independent start-ups. Before you get started on a new venture, or if you just want to make sure you're doing the right thing, Trading Standards can advise you on the legal requirements of compliance.

Guidance for businesses can be found at Business Companion which offers information on basics of the law, through to in-depth assistance. If you have a specific query, please contact us directly. 

Dealers in second-hand goods within Newcastle must register with the authority under the City of Newcastle upon Tyne Act 2000.

For more information on the work we do, please see our Business Service Plan page. 

Newsletter

The Trading Standards service with the aim of providing updates on our work, produces a newsletter twice a year. To access a copy of our newsletter go to High Standard (pdf 1.7 mb).

Contact

Trading Standards service, Directorate of Operations and Regulatory Services, Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QH. Email: tradingstandards@newcastle.gov.uk