| What shape should the CE mark have and where must it be placed ? |
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The shape is the one shown hereunder, displaying two semicircles of equal size:
If, due to the size of the product the mark needs to be reduced (in any case not smaller than 5 mm) or enlarged in size, the proportions have to be observed. This mark should not be confused with the mark "China Export", which differs mainly in that:
- the distance between letters C and E is smaller (the two letters are not inscribed in the two tangent circles as in the figure above);
- la shape of the letters is based on an oval form and not a circular one.
The CE mark is a marking that must be applied by the manufacturer only on specific types of products (i.e.: toys, all electric products, sunglasses and eyeglasses, gas or pressure instruments), must be visible and readable on the product or, should this not be possible due to the specific nature of the good, it must be placed on the packaging or the accompanying documents. |
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| What mandatory information has to be shown on toy packages? |
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By Decree Law. no. 54 of 11 April 2011, the Italian Government has implemented Directive 2009/48/EC of 18 June 2009, with the aim to better protect the safety of consumers and commerce in the sector. At the same time Decree Law of 27 September 1991, no. 313, was repealed.
Toy means any product designed or clearly destined to be used for play by minors under 14. Its packaging, wrapping or leaflet must display, by law:
- the CE marking, which shall be affixed in a visible, legible and especially indelible manner;
- the name and/or company style and/or the trademark, the address of the manufacturer or importer (in any case, of the person responsible for the marketing of the product);
- information on the recommended age range of the children; in the case of videogames, the Pegi system must be displayed on the package (Pan European Game Information), showing the advisable age and the contents of the game;
- instructions in Italian. |
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Are there special precautions to be taken for toys intended for children under 3 years of age? |
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In relation to the material and size of removable components, a toy which is safe for one age group may be very dangerous for smaller children.
Indeed, a toy may contain small parts that can be inhaled or swallowed. As a result, there is the obligation to always indicate, in the language of the country of marketing, if a toy is intended for children under 3 years of age. In general, toys and the parts that can be disassembled shall not present sharp tips or cutting edges. They also need to be large enough to avoid any kind of choking if brought to the mouth. Pull toys (string-pulled vehicles, plastic telephones, etc.), must have strings that are long and thick enough to avoid accidental running knots.
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| Come è possibile riconoscere un giocattolo sicuro? |
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Ecco un elenco di indicazioni utili per identificare un giocattolo sicuro in fase di acquisto:
- leggere sempre le etichette e le avvertenze;
- quando comprate giocattoli per bambini di età inferiore a 3 anni (36 mesi) assicuratevi che il giocattolo non contenga piccole parti. Queste possono essere pericolose poiché il bambino in questa fase dello sviluppo porta in modo spontaneo e naturale tutto alla bocca;
-attenzione alle corde o stringhe troppo lunghe: possono causare rischi di strangolamento; giocattoli elettrici con parti che si scaldano non sono raccomandabili per bambini di età inferiore a 8 anni (prima di questa età, i bambini non possiedono un senso del pericolo);
- giocattoli che emettono rumori e/o suoni: per prevenire danni all'udito le norme stabiliscono specifici livelli di rumore producibili dai giocattoli che sono considerati sicuri. |
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How to choose and use decoration lights for the home? |
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When purchasing decorations lights one needs to follow a few safety tips, such as, for example:
- purchase only safe products, in unopened packages, which must show: the CE mark, the manufacturer’s name, the origin and any safety marks form a voluntary certification body, such as IMQ, TÜV, GS, etc..;
- purchase from trusted and qualified sellers or from known shopping centers;
- avoid buying products of dubious origin, often at attractive prices;
- use only suitable material for the connection to the electric network;
- for outdoors, purchase only products that are specifically intended for that use;
- avoid “do-it-yourself” repairs;
- avoid leaving these products unattended when lit;
- don’t leave them on when sleeping.
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