EU Approved Exemption on Cobalt Used for Specific Applications in Toys
| Targeted audience | EU/EEA manufacturers, EU/EEA importers and their upstream providers |
| Products concerned | Toys |
| Key industries concerned with this insight | Toys |
| Application date | 29 August 2026 |
| Main content or requirements | On 29 January 2026, the EU amended the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC (TSD) and exempt cobalt (Co) used in three specified applications: (1) in components made of stainless steel, as an impurity in the nickel (Ni) contained in the stainless steel, (2) in components which are intended to conduct an electric current, or (3) in neodymium (Nd)-based magnets if those magnets cannot be swallowed or inhaled |
| Reference | Clink here |
On 29 January 2026, the European Commission published Directive (EU) 2026/192 to amend Appendix A of Annex II to the EU Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC (TSD), to add an entry on cobalt (Co):
| Substance | Classification | Permitted use |
| Cobalt | CMR 1B | (1) In toys and toy components made of stainless steel, as an impurity in the nickel contained in the stainless steel. (2) In toy components which are intended to conduct an electric current. (3) In neodymium-based magnets used in toys if those magnets cannot be swallowed or inhaled. |
The amendment shall enter into force on 18 February 2026 and apply from 29 August 2026.
Note:
Appendix A: List of CMR substances and their permitted uses in accordance with points 4, 5 and 6 of Part III
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