On June 29, 2026, the UK's Department for Business and Trade submitted a notification (G/TBT/N/GBR/123) to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade, announcing a proposed amendment to the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011 that would permit the use of cobalt in specific toy components under strictly limited conditions.
Background
Cobalt is currently classified as a carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic substance (CMR) under the UK's Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulations and is, in principle, prohibited from use in toys. However, following a review of relevant scientific evidence and consultation with the Scientific Advisory Group on Chemical Safety in Non-Food Non-Medicinal Consumer Products (SAG-CS), the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards concluded that the risk level of cobalt is within an acceptable range in three specific use scenarios, and that no suitable alternative substances are currently available.
Three Permitted Uses of Cobalt
- As an impurity in nickel contained in stainless steel toys and toy parts
- In toy components used for electrical conductivity
- In neodymium-based magnets (provided the magnets cannot be swallowed or inhaled)
The deadline for submitting comments is August 28, 2026. Relevant stakeholders may submit their views via the UK TBT Enquiry Point at tbtenquiriesuk@businessandtrade.gov.uk. The amended regulation is expected to be adopted in September 2026 and will officially enter into force on March 8, 2027.
