BTHA warns unsafe toys Remain widely available on online marketplaces
The British Toy & Hobby Association (BTHA) has renewed its call for stronger regulation of online marketplaces after its latest investigation found that unsafe toys continue to be sold by third-party sellers across major platforms.
Independently tested against UK toy safety standards
According to the BTHA’s “Still Toying with Children’s Safety” campaign, 68 toys purchased from third-party sellers on seven online marketplaces were independently tested against UK toy safety standards. The investigation found that 90% of the toys failed to meet UK Toy Safety Regulations, with 81% deemed unsafe and a further 9% failing legal labelling requirements.
The reported safety issues included choking hazards from small parts, strangulation risks from long cords and loops, accessible button batteries, powerful magnets, excessive noise levels, flammability concerns, and exposure to potential chemical hazards. The BTHA said such defects could result in serious injuries, including suffocation, internal damage, hearing loss, and poisoning.
Concerns about the effectiveness of marketplace responses
The association also raised concerns about the effectiveness of marketplace responses after unsafe products are identified. It found that only a small proportion of customers received safety notifications and that many unsafe products, or seemingly identical versions, remained available for sale after being reported.
The BTHA has been campaigning since 2018 for changes to UK legislation, arguing that online marketplaces should be legally responsible for the safety of toys sold by third-party sellers on their platforms. The organization says the current regulatory framework leaves a gap in consumer protection despite the growing share of toy purchases made through online marketplaces.
The association is urging policymakers to close what it describes as a legal loophole and introduce measures that would require online marketplaces to ensure all toys offered for sale meet UK safety standards.