Windsor Framework Spokesperson Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA has raised serious concerns after a Democratic Scrutiny Committee meeting revealed a lack of clarity on who is responsible for enforcing the new EU Toy Safety Directive (Regulation (EU) 2025/2509). Despite attempts to gather evidence, key departments and agencies either declined to attend or admitted they had no remit or resources to address the issue. Aiken warned that this is yet another example of the Windsor Framework creating gaps in governance, leaving vital matters like child safety unresolved.

Dr Steve Aiken OBE MLA, a member of the Windsor Framework Democratic Scrutiny Committee commented:

“This morning, the Democratic Scrutiny Committee met to consider the new EU Toy Safety Directive (Regulation (EU) 2025/2509). The committee was scheduled to hear evidence from the Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS), which falls under the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). However, OPSS declined to attend, stating that this EU directive had nothing to do with them.

“Our Department for the Economy did attend, only to say that toy safety was not their responsibility either, nor that of local councils, and that it was a matter for DBT. In the now well established pattern of buck passing under the Windsor Framework, it is apparent that no one will be responsible or accountable for toy safety. The Economy Department also noted that this is one of four ‘areas’ that have fallen through the cracks. They admitted they were not resourced to deal with it and had no further information to provide. Their evidence session on toy safety lasted around five minutes.

“Meanwhile, the rigorous implementers on the committee from Alliance and Sinn Féin were, as usual, content to blame the ‘Brits’. The Ulster Unionist Party, however, has very real concerns about who is now responsible for the safety of our children. It is well beyond time that all political parties here, and the Secretary of State, recognise the very real challenges to everyday life that the Windsor Framework imposes on us all: whether it’s €5 charges for parcels, the inability to buy new cars, medicines for our animals, or now, the question of who is responsible for toy safety.”