Approval Marks

CE Mark

This symbol, the CE Mark, together with the name and address of the supplier, is required by law to appear on all toys placed on the market in the European Union.

There is a great deal of misunderstanding about what a CE Mark really means. The CE Mark was established to ensure a free market of toys right across the Community and the mark has sometimes been described as the 'passport for product'.

It is the supplier's statement that his toys meet the safety requirements of the European Toy Safety Directive, and that such toys are therefore entitled to free movement throughout the Community. In order to show that products meet that requirement, the first supplier in the Community has to maintain a Technical File . The file should contain a description of the means by which the supplier has ensured that his products comply with the law.

The CE Mark is intended mainly for Enforcement Authorities (Trading Standards Officers in the UK). It is NOT a claim of quality or safety as generally understood by consumers.

The address (which must also be displayed with the CE Mark) enables the Trading Standards Officer to trace the supplier and demand the technical file if he has a query about the product.

The CE Mark also appears on many other products. This is because there are other EU Directives which require its use. The mark can therefore not be taken to be a declaration that the product is a toy.

Lion Mark

The Lion Mark was developed in 1988 by the British Toy & Hobby Association as a symbol of toy safety and quality for the consumer.

The Lion Mark may only be used by BTHA members. BTHA Members include many major international and European companies.

So what is the point of a Lion Mark?

To use the Lion Mark, the supplier has to sign a strict Code of Practice, (the Toy Retailers Association Code is based on the same document), which, as well as covering toy safety matters, demands the highest standards of ethics in advertising and other trading matters.

Approved Lion Mark Retailer scheme

The Toy Retailers Association have taken an equally positive role in toy safety and advice given to the public - after all, choosing the right toy for the right child is an important part of toy safety.

In 1991, the Toy Retailers Association joined with the BTHA in adapting the Lion Mark for use by retailers.

The symbol displayed in shops, in catalogues and in retailer advertising, indicates that the retailer has agreed to the Code of Practice and ensures that management and staff are briefed on toy safety matters such as age warnings and age grading of toys.

To ensure standards are maintained on both sides, Toy Retailers Association Officers visit and advise members on toy safety matters.