France Issues Warning over Asbestos in Toys Containing Sand

Targeted audience	French manufacturers, French importers and their upstream providers
Products concerned	Toys containing sand or soft plastics
Key industries concerned with this insight	Toys
Application date	26 February 2026
Main content or requirements	On 26 February 2026, France issued a warning on asbestos in toys containing sand, and informed French retailers of the need to suspend the sale of all sand-based toys and ensure that these toys do not contain asbestos before offering them for sale again. Since February 2026, France has recalled some toys containing sand and soft plastics
Reference	Link 1 Link 2 Link 3

On 26 February 2026, the French Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF) issued a warning on asbestos in toys containing sand.

French DGCCRF has informed French retailers of the need to suspend the sale of all sand-based toys and ensure that these toys do not contain asbestos before offering them for sale again. The French DGCCRF also recommended that parents not to buy or let children play with toys that contain sand in the near future, before the manufacturers conduct the necessary checks. The parents can return the toys to the place of purchase for a refund if there is a recall.

Since February 2026, the French DGCCRF has published recall cases for toys containing asbestos:
https://rappel.conso.gouv.fr/categorie/0/2/amiante

The recalls have also extended to certain toys which may contain asbestos (e.g., soft plastic toys and anti-stress toys).

In the EU, according to the EU REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Annex XVII Entry 6. The manufacture, placing on the EU market and use of asbestos fibres and of articles and mixtures containing asbestos fibres added intentionally are prohibited. In France, according to French Decree No. 96-1133, the manufacture, importation, placing on the French market, exportation, possession for sale, offering for sale, sale, and transfer for any purpose whatsoever of all types of asbestos fibers and any product containing them are prohibited.

Intertek China Hardlines Labs will continue to monitor the progress of the French recalls on asbestos, to provide you with testing services (including advanced SEM and TEM testing services tailored for sand-containing consumer goods and soft plastics) and technical support in compliance with the EU and French regulations.

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