EU Amends Toy Safety Directive, Approves Cobalt for Specific Uses

On January 29, 2026, the European Commission published Directive (EU) 2026/192 in the Official Journal, amending the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC to permit the use of cobalt in three specific applications within toys.

Background

Metallic cobalt and several of its salts (such as cobalt sulfate, cobalt diacetate, cobalt nitrate, cobalt dichloride, and cobalt carbonate) are classified as Carcinogenicity Category 1B, Mutagenicity Category 2, and Reproductive Toxicity Category 1B (CMR substances). The Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER) assessed that, under specific use scenarios (conductive components, stainless steel materials, and non-ingestible neodymium magnets), the exposure risk of cobalt is negligible and meets safety standards. Additionally, since existing exemption clauses were not applicable, the directive has added new permitted uses for cobalt in the Toy Safety Directive based on the above evaluation.

Final Amendments

A new exemption clause for cobalt has been added to Appendix A of Annex II of the Toy Safety Directive:

Substance	Classification	Permitted Uses
Cobalt	CMR Category 1B	In toys and toy components made of stainless steel, as an impurity in the nickel contained in the stainless steel. In toy components that are intended to conduct an electric current. In neodymium-based magnets used in toys, if those magnets cannot be swallowed or inhaled.

Substance

Classification

Permitted Uses

Cobalt

CMR Category 1B

In toys and toy components made of stainless steel, as an impurity in the nickel contained in the stainless steel.

In toy components that are intended to conduct an electric current.

In neodymium-based magnets used in toys, if those magnets cannot be swallowed or inhaled.

Member states are required to transpose the directive into national law by July 29, 2026, and the directive will officially take effect on August 29, 2026.

Further Information

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