INSTITUTE FOR STANDARD AND QUALITY DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
26/11/2025
Children’s toys are any products or materials designed or clearly intended for use by children under the age of 16 during play. Although the toy market is increasingly diverse, not all products are safe. Many inexpensive toys with unclear origins may contain heavy metals and toxic chemicals, posing risks to children’s health and development. This reality makes risk identification and the selection of safe products more important than ever.
This is also the reason why QCVN 3 – National Technical Regulation on the Safety of Children’s Toys was issued to control toy safety levels before products are placed on the market, thereby minimizing potential risks to children’s health and development.
Let’s explore potential hazards and ways to protect children from low-quality toys together with ISSQ.
Children are the most vulnerable group when exposed to toxic substances in toys. To understand the severity of the risks, it is necessary to know why children’s bodies react more strongly and are more sensitive than adults.
Children often put toys in their mouths, bite, suck, or touch toys and then unintentionally bring their hands to their mouths, allowing chemicals to easily enter the body.
According to a study published in Environmental Science & Technology, young children are more likely to be exposed to chemicals via oral pathways than adults due to their frequent habit of exploring objects by mouth.
In addition, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), children absorb lead 4–5 times more than adults when ingesting the same amount. This is because children’s nervous system, liver, kidneys, and detoxification mechanisms are not fully developed, making toxic substances more likely to accumulate in the body.
When children bite or suck toys, paint layers, printing ink or metal parts may peel off, causing ingestion of heavy metals or toxic chemicals. Skin contact also poses risks, especially for children with sensitive skin, as chemicals from toy coatings can penetrate the skin or cause irritation if products do not meet safety requirements.
Moreover, many low-quality toys may emit solvent vapors, chemical odors, or dust containing metals. When toys are brought close to the face, inhalation of these substances can easily occur.
Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and chromium in low-quality toys may lead to:
Brain development issues, delayed speech, reduced concentration, poor learning performance.
Nervous system damage, leading to irritability and behavioral disorders.
Liver and kidney impairment due to detoxification overload.
Weakened immune system, making children more susceptible to illness.
Growth retardation.
According to WHO, no level of lead exposure is considered safe for children. Even prolonged exposure to small amounts can cause irreversible effects.
Therefore, selecting safe toys and verifying compliance with QCVN 3 is extremely important.
Early identification of low-quality toys helps protect children from heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and other risks. Parents can rely on the following common signs:
Toys with harsh smells of paint, plastic, or solvents may be made from low-quality materials. Prolonged inhalation can cause dizziness, breathing difficulty, or respiratory irritation.
Paint that is patchy or easily scratches off may indicate substandard coatings. Paint fragments can enter the body when children bite or rub toys.
Safe toys should include:
Product name
Name and address of responsible organization/individual
Origin
Quantity
Manufacturing date and expiry (if applicable)
Ingredients and additives
Technical specifications and warnings
Instructions for use
Without this information, parents cannot assess suitability or safety.
For children’s toys, the CR conformity mark indicates that the product has been assessed in accordance with QCVN 3. Toys without the CR mark may not meet safety requirements or legal circulation conditions.
Very cheap toys may involve:
Low-quality materials
Paint containing heavy metals
Lack of safety testing
Parents should be cautious with unusually cheap toys, especially those sold at street stalls or unreliable shops.
Choose toys with clear origin and reputable brands.
Check for the CR mark indicating conformity certification under QCVN 3.
Avoid toys with strong odors, peeling paint, or unusually low prices.
Monitor children’s reactions (rash, itching, coughing, watery eyes).
Teach children safe play habits.
Replace damaged or worn-out toys regularly.
Toy manufacturers or importers bear primary responsibility for product safety before market release. Compliance with QCVN 3 is both mandatory and a demonstration of social responsibility:
Comply with chemical, material, and heavy metal safety requirements.
Control raw material and coating quality.
Conduct testing and conformity certification before distribution.
Provide transparent labeling and clear age warnings.
Develop safer products using child-friendly materials.
Maintain periodic quality monitoring.
Responsible actions from both parents and businesses help create a safer and more sustainable toy market.
Children’s toys may appear harmless but can pose significant risks if they contain heavy metals or toxic chemicals. Choosing toys certified for conformity with QCVN 3 is an essential step in protecting children’s long-term health and development.
For conformity assessment services under QCVN 3, please contact ISSQ Institute for Standard & Quality Development Studies via hotline +84 981 851 111 or email vienchatluong@issq.org.vn | tcvn@issq.org.vn.
Published date: 25/11/2025
