A parent orders a toy for their child on an e-commerce platform, expecting the product to meet basic safety requirements. But just days later, similar products may appear on warning lists because they contain hazardous materials or have unsafe parts.
This scenario was presented by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) when addressing the new challenges of product safety management in the digital marketplace.
UNECE's choice of children's toys to begin this discussion is no accident. These are products that children use directly, while their ability to recognize and avoid danger is still limited.
The document “Basics of Product Safety,” published by UNECE in June 2026, also places children's toys alongside household appliances and connected digital devices when discussing products consumers use daily and the systems needed to ensure their safety.
All children's toys must meet strict quality standards before being released to the market.