Expert / 11 June, 2025 / Ellie Thompson

Toxic Chemicals In Children’s Toys: 10 Things You Need To Know

You might already be aware of the toxic chemicals in everyday items, from period products to cookware. However, did you know that they can also be found in children’s toys? Here’s what you need to know to limit exposure to potentially harmful chemicals in toxic toys.

Toxic chemicals in children’s toys

Toys are an essential part of childhood, offering joy, learning and development, but some children’s toys contain harmful chemicals that pose serious health risks to babies and children.

This Green Baby Day (11 June), environmental charity Wen (Women’s Environmental Network) is warning that children are increasingly exposed to toxic chemicals as EU regulations are being toughened, and is calling for UK safety standards to be raised.

Here are 10 things you need to know to limit your children’s exposure to potentially harmful chemicals in toxic toys.

Children have more toys than ever, but more is not better

In the UK, the toys market is worth £3.4 billion, with cheaper ‘pocket money’ toys costing less than £15 becoming increasingly popular. The average child in the UK has 238 toys but research suggests more is not better.

The UK is falling behind on toy safety standards

Environmental charity Wen (Women’s Environmental Network) is launching a powerful call to action for UK families warning that children in the UK are increasingly exposed to toxic chemicals in toys, just as European regulations are being toughened.

The Green Baby Day Campaign, now in its third year, coincides with new EU rules that will ban EDCs (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals), PFAS and Bisphenols in toys, while demanding accountability from the online marketplaces that sell them.

In contrast, the UK risks becoming a regulatory backwater, with toy safety standards falling behind post-Brexit.

Every child deserves safe play, no matter where they are born

“Toxic chemicals, including EDCs (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals), PFAS and Bisphenols, are still ending up in our children’s hands – and mouths. The UK urgently needs to catch up with the EU’s stronger stance on toy safety,” says Ivie Itoje, Wen’s Green Baby Programme Manager.

“Right now, our children are growing up with weaker protections, especially when it comes to cheap, imported toys sold through under-regulated marketplaces. This isn’t just a regulatory failure – it’s a question of environmental justice. Every child deserves safe play, no matter where they’re born or how much their parents can afford to spend,” Ivie continues.

Cheaply made toys sold online often don’t meet basic health and safety standards

Over 500 toy recalls have been issued in the UK since 2021, with more than half classified as serious, due to repeated safety breaches involving toxic plasticisers.

Wen’s new briefing, ‘Playing Safe’, outlines how 80% of cheaply made toys sold through major third-party platforms often fail to meet basic health and safety standards.

Babies and children are particularly vulnerable

Children are particularly vulnerable to chemical exposure due to their physiology and play, including hand-to-mouth contact and systems that are still developing, making early-life exposure a critical public health issue.

Toys can leak potentially harmful chemicals from wear and tear, toxic coatings and paint, or other harmful plastic-type materials. Children can be exposed in various ways through mouthing, sucking, or chewing toys.

Early-life exposure can shape long-term health

“As a consultant working with mothers and babies every day, I see firsthand how early-life exposures can shape long-term health. Many parents assume the toys we buy for our children are safe – but in reality, toxic chemicals are still finding their way into our homes,” says Dr Karen Joash, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, who supports the campaign.

“These substances can interfere with hormones, affect development, and increase the risk of chronic illness – and it’s often families on the lowest incomes who are most exposed.”

Not everyone is affected equally

Poorer households and marginalised families often rely on low-cost or second-hand toys, which are more likely to contain toxic chemicals. Limited access to clear product information makes it even harder for parents to make informed choices.

We need transparency and better regulation

But it doesn’t have to be this way, due to a lack of action from the government, Wen is calling for UK laws that match a ban on EDCs (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals), PFAS and Bisphenols in children’s toys, just like the new EU regulations. Wen is also demanding stronger enforcement for online marketplaces.

How to choose safer toys

• Look for materials like FSC-certified wood and GOTS-certified organic cotton
• Check labels for UKCA, OEKO-TEX®, and GOTS certifications
• Avoid toys with strong chemical smells, cheap plastic, or peeling paint
• Limit second-hand plastic toys from before 2013 especially if damaged

What parents can do today to take action

• Read Wen’s new briefing ‘Playing Safe’
• Share the Wen/ WECF Toys Guide with your parenting network
• Sign Wen’s call for a ban on EDCs (Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals), PFAS and Bisphenols in line with EU toy safety laws
• Report unsafe toys to your local Trading Standards – https://www.tradingstandards.uk/consumer-help/
• Support ethical, inclusive toy brands that don’t reinforce gender or racial stereotypes

Common harmful chemicals found in toys

Toys may look harmless, but many contain hidden chemicals that can pose serious health risks to children.

Phthalates – used to soften plastics and are found in teething rings and dolls. These can cause Hormone disruption and reproductive issues

Bisphenols (BPA, BPS) are chemicals used in plastics such as baby bottles and toy castings. They can affect our hormones and are linked with obesity

Lead and cadmium are heavy metals found in paints used on plastic dolls, metal toys, jewellery, and button batteries. They can cause brain damage, learning difficulties and choking

Flame retardants are used to prevent fires and are applied to foam toys and play mats. They are linked with an increased risk of cancer and developmental disorders

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are emitted from plastic, paint and wood, and can cause respiratory issues.

Formaldehyde is found in wood-based toys and adhesives and is a carcinogen.

Real-World examples of toxic toys

2018: An online retailer was fined for selling children’s slime with toxic boron levels
2019: The European Commission reported that 127 out of 248 toy models blocked from sale across the EU contained illegal levels of phthalates – a group of chemicals used to soften plastics. While specific UK recalls were not detailed,
2021: Testing of imported toys in the UK found unsafe levels of lead in painted toys
2022: Levels of lead and formaldehyde found in bamboo baby plates 
2024: Black plastic used for toys found to contain banned flame retardants.
2025: Plastic PVC toys bought in Kenya contained high levels of toxic chemicals

Find out more

Wen’s ‘Playing Safe’ briefing and ‘Toxic-Free Toy Guide’, developed by WECF, are available at: www.wen.org.uk/greenbaby

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