UK toys can contain toxic chemicals as safety standards fall dangerously behind
UK children could be exposed to toxic chemicals in toys according to a charity report – here’s how you can make playtime safer.
This year, EU is introducing new rules for toy safety, banning toys that contain chemicals that could be harmful to children. But there aren’t any similar rules here in the UK.
A new campaign by the environmental charity Wen (Women’s Environmental Network) is calling for urgent action to protect UK children from exposure to toxic chemicals in toys.
Their Green Baby Day campaign, in June 2025, urges parents to demand tougher UK toy safety laws now that Brexit has left children with weaker protections against harmful chemicals.
How can toys be dangerous for children’s health?
Cheaply made toys, especially ones imported from countries with lower safety standards, can contain harmful substances like carcinogenic chemicals, endocrine disruptors, PFAS (known as ‘forever chemicals), and Bisphenols.
Wen’s Playing Safe report, on protecting babies and children from harmful chemical exposures, found that these chemicals have been linked to issues with brain development and hormone disruption in children, as well as increasing cancer risks and triggering asthma and allergic reactions.
Because children are still developing and often put their toys in their mouths, they are particularly vulnerable to exposure to these chemicals, Wen’s report says.
“Many parents assume the toys we buy for our children are safe — but in reality, toxic chemicals are still finding their way into our homes,” says Dr Karen Joash, a consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology, and spokesperson for Wen.
“These substances can interfere with hormones, affect development, and increase the risk of chronic illness,” she says, adding, “As a consultant working with mothers and babies every day, I see firsthand how early-life exposures can shape long-term health.”
Which families are more at risk?
The risks aren’t the same for every family. Wen’s research shows that lower income families are more likely to be exposed to these harmful chemicals.
This is because these families have less access to clear product information and are less likely to have safe toy options due to cost. Cheaper toys, often sold in under-regulated markets and online, are more likely to contain toxic substances.
And second-hand toys also pose more of a risk because older toys are less likely to adhere to current safety regulations.
“This isn’t just a regulatory failure, it’s a question of environmental justice. Every child deserves safe play, no matter where they’re born or how much their parents can afford to spend,” says Ivie Itoje, Wen’s Green Baby Campaign Manager.
Why are toys in the UK more dangerous?
New EU regulations will soon ban toxic substances in toys, but the UK has yet to follow suit.
Wen’s campaign highlights how cheap, imported toys – especially those sold through big online marketplaces – are slipping through the gaps in UK safety laws.
There has been over 500 toy recalls in the UK since 2021, with more than half of those rated as ‘serious’, according to data from the UK government’s Office for Product Safety and Standards.
“‘Brexit babies’ are growing up with weaker protections, especially when it comes to cheap, imported toys sold through under-regulated marketplaces,” Ivie says.
“We urgently need UK regulation to catch up with the EU’s new toy safety standards, but this is about more than policy. It’s about the right for every child to grow up safe from harm,” says Dr. Karen.
How can you choose safer toys?
While UK laws catch up, here’s what parents can do right now to reduce the risks:
- Look for safer materials. FSC-certified wood and GOTS-certified organic cotton are great choices
- Check for trusted certifications. Labels like UKCA, OEKO-TEX®, and GOTS mean products have passed safety standards
- Avoid toys that are made from cheap plastic or that have strong chemical smells or peeling paint
- Be cautious with older toys. Limit second-hand plastic toys from before 2013, especially if damaged
Parents can also:
- Report unsafe toys to Trading Standards: https://www.tradingstandards.uk/consumer-help/
- Share Wen’s Toxic-Free Toy Guide with other parents
- Support ethical toy brands
- Wen also has a petition calling for a UK ban on EDCs, PFAS and Bisphenols in toys, matching new EU safety laws.
Download Wen’s Playing Safe briefing and Toxic-Free Toy Guide at: www.wen.org.uk/greenbaby