§ Mr. PaiceTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she intends to abandon the use of the CE mark as an indicator of the safety of imported toys. [5168]
§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsThe CE marking is not a European mark of safety or quality intended for consumers. Its purpose is to indicate to enforcement authorities that the toys bearing it are intended for sale in the European Community and signifies a declaration by the manufacturer or his authorised representative that the toys have been designed and manufactured in accordance with the requirements of the relevant European directives. All toys supplied in the United Kingdom, whether manufactured here or imported, must comply with the Toys (Safety) Regulations 1995 which implement the European requirements and trading standards officers have the necessary powers to remove non-complying toys from the market.