Regulatory Trends in Toys: 12–18 Month Outlook
This guide was published on 6th August, 2026. Further regulatory developments may have occurred after publication. To keep up-to-date with the latest compliance news, sign up to our newsletter.
A practical 12–18 month roadmap for toy manufacturers who need to move fast, without losing control of compliance.
Regulatory Trends in Toys: 12–18 Month Outlook
Toy regulation is changing fast. Over the next 12-18 months, the shift will come not from one global reform, but a series of regional changes.
China rolls out new electric-toy and general toy safety standards in August and November 2026. The US is moving to mandatory electronic filing of compliance certificate data. Canada is expected to propose major updates to chemical and toxicological requirements. Great Britain is reviewing whether to align with the new EU Toy Safety Regulation. Connected toys face stronger cybersecurity and incident-reporting rules under the EU Cyber Resilience Act. And Australia is reviewing magnet requirements while stepping up enforcement on button batteries, aquatic toys, and online warnings.
The main compliance risks: outdated test reports, poor chemical composition data, inconsistent online warnings, weak control of software updates, and incorrect classification of hybrid products. Companies should prioritise China transition reviews, accurate US certificate data, improved supplier chemical disclosure, cybersecurity controls for connected toys, and early preparation for future EU digital product passports.
(Source: C2P by Adherent)
This Guide Covers
- The 16 regulatory topics affecting toys, banded by importance
- The regional changes landing next: China’s August and November 2026 standards, mandatory US eFiling, Canada’s expected chemical updates and Great Britain’s alignment review
- What Regulation (EU) 2025/2509 introduces, and the 1 August 2030 date it replaces the Toy Safety Directive
- Toy Industries of Europe’s 2025 findings on unbranded toys bought from non-EU sellers through online marketplaces
- The five compliance risks the guide singles out, and what to prioritise first
- 13 key regulations impacting the toy industry globally
