UK Government call for evidence on toy safety: have your say!

Use our template response and let the government know you want safer toys.

The UK has rules in place that should ensure toys sold in shops and online are safe for children to play with. Unfortunately, these rules are not fit for purpose.

Every few months, the media covers stories of toys on the UK market that break these rules. For example, in April, a Guardian investigation showed asbestos was being used in toys ranging from play sand to stretchy toys in our high street shops. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer later in life.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Our toy safety rules themselves are outdated, meaning that chemicals can legally be used that scientists now think could have lifelong impacts on children’s health, such as the ‘forever chemicals’ PFAS. These chemicals have been linked to certain cancers and negative impacts on the immune system.

The government are considering updating our toy rules to better protect children from harm, especially from toxic chemicals. They are looking at whether we should introduce similar rules to the EU, which banned a wide range of toxic chemicals in toys at the end of last year.

The UK government want to hear from anyone with an interest in these changes before the 6^th October. You could be a caregiver, parent or just concerned about the health and wellbeing of children in this country.

You can read the government’s full call for evidence here.

How to respond

There are three ways you can respond:

• You can respond online here.
• You can download and fill out the response form and email it by including it in the email text or attaching a word document and sending it to: toys.enquiries@businessandtrade.gov.uk.
• Or print out the response form and send it to the following address:

Toys Safety Regulations: Call for Evidence
Department for Business and Trade
Old Admiralty Building
Admiralty Place
London 
SW1A 2DY

Deadline: 11:59pm 06 October 2026

You do not have to respond to all the questions. The most relevant question is Q2. 

We have developed a template response. Tailor this template to bring in your own perspective on why we need to improve toy safety!