Mainland exhibitors at CTW Saudi Arabia trust in technical prowess and ESG compliance as routes into Middle East construction market.

On 13 March 2024, the European Parliament adopted its legislative resolution on the European Commission’s proposal for a Regulation on the safety of toys. The Parliament has added tougher measures to the Commission’s originally proposed text which had been issued on 28 July 2023. If its amendments are accepted by the Council of the EU (which remains uncertain), Hong Kong traders will see more stringent measures than previously envisaged concerning the safety of toys implemented across all Member States.

Foreign investors from Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) member states can now fully own electronic game businesses in Vietnam, effective from 14 January 2024. Under CPTPP rules, foreign investors in Vietnam’s electronic game sector were entitled to own up to 51% of such businesses. CPTPP rules state that five years after its entry into force in the relevant country, this cap on ownership would be lifted. The CPTPP took effect in Vietnam on 14 January 2019, hence the cap ended on 14 January this year.

Hong Kong has revised the city’s list of standards for toys and children’s products. These new standards will become effective on August 1, 2024.

This page lists the contact information of Hong Kong trade associations related to toys and games.

On 13 February 2024, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) of the European Parliament voted to introduce even more stringent rules on the safety of toys, than are currently laid out in the EU’s toy safety Directive. The vote by IMCO paves the way for the European Parliament, sitting in plenary in the coming days or weeks, to approve the future Regulation on toy safety.

The CPSC has revised the mandatory safety standard for toys and is seeking input on a petition requesting mandatory testing and labelling of the slip resistance of commercial and residential grade floor coverings, floor coatings and treatments; residential and commercial floor cleaning agents; and consumer footwear.

The EU Council of Ministers and European Parliament have announced that they have reached a compromise version of the EU Cyber Resilience Act as proposed by the European Commission. The compromise text, known as a political agreement, was reached before 2023 came to a close, following informal negotiations known as trilogues, between the three institutions. The Act will aim to ensure that products with digital components, such as connected home cameras, smart fridges, TVs and toys, are safe before being placed on the EU market.

Moldova has revised its legislation on toy safety to further align with EU regulations. The revisions became effective in October 2023.

On 8 November 2023, the European Chemicals Agency (‘ECHA’) announced that its investigation has revealed that substances causing cancer, genetic mutations or harming reproduction are present in childcare products, such as car seats, bibs and baby changing mats. The investigation will henceforth assist the European Commission (‘Commission’) in preparing an EU-wide restriction to limit such chemicals, with the aim of safeguarding children’s health.