The European Commission has released its annual report on Safety Gate, the EU’s Rapid Alert System for hazardous non-food products. The report provides a comprehensive overview of hazardous products reported through Safety Gate in 2024. An increase in alerts, especially in product categories such as cosmetics, toys, and electrical appliances, is, in particular, highlighted. According to the Commission, these findings are linked to enhanced monitoring and enforcement by national authorities, as well as the introduction of new EU legislation aimed at improving product safety.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has announced that an Explanatory Guide has been produced on the EU law imposing a restriction on microplastics. Hong Kong traders of a variety of goods may recall that Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 restricting synthetic polymer microparticles on their own or intentionally added to mixtures - better known as “the microplastics restriction” - began applying throughout the EU on 17 October 2023. The recently published Explanatory Guide will help interested parties, including Member State competent authorities and businesses, to understand and interpret the new rules.

On 10 April 2025, European Parliament and Council negotiators reached a provisional agreement on new EU toy safety rules to enhance the protection of children’s health and development. The deal enhances the role of economic operators in improving toy safety and clarifies requirements for safety warnings and the digital product passport. It also expands the list of prohibited substances in toys.

Hong Kong updates several standards for toys and children’s products. These will become effective on August 1, 2025.

On 18 November, the General Administration of Customs announced that it will carry out random inspections of some import and export commodities not listed in the catalogue of commodities subject to statutory inspection. The objective is to protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers and safeguard health and safety. Import commodities that will be subject to inspections include stationery for students, baby products and electronic products. Export commodities include children’s toys.

Hong Kong exporters have a reputation for high quality toys. Contract manufacturing with overseas manufacturers and licence holders generates a large share of the industry’s revenues. In order to reduce operating costs and stay competitive, the majority of Hong Kong toy makers have set up production facilities offshore, particularly in mainland China and Southeast Asia. The role of their Hong Kong offices has shifted towards quality control, management, marketing, product design and production planning. In 2023, Hong Kong was the world’s ninth largest toy exporter.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is extending from 8 November to 8 December the deadline for public input on a proposal to establish additional performance and labelling requirements for water bead toys and toys that contain water beads.

Recently, Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2406 was published in the EU’s Official Journal. It amends an earlier Decision (Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/1698) on European standards for certain child care articles, children’s furniture, gymnastic equipment and laser products. The European standards have all been adopted under the EU’s Directive on General Product Safety (2001/95/EC).

On 5 September 2024, the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) voted unanimously to keep the position of the previous legislature on the proposed toy safety Regulation and to start trilogue talks with the EU Council. Provisional agreement on the proposed Regulation may therefore be reached imminently between the co-legislators.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is seeking public input by 8 November on a proposal to establish additional performance and labelling requirements for water bead toys and toys that contain water beads.