EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT PASSES TOY PROPOSAL The European Parliament December 18 voted 481 to 73 (with 40 abstentions) to adopt the EU’s toy safety proposal. The changes (PSL, 11/10/08, p. 4) to the toy safety directive (88/378/EEC) would become effective 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

EU AND TOY GROUPS AGREE TO SAFETY PACT DG-Sanco December 18 signed a pact with EuroCommerce, European Retail Roundtable, European Promotional Products Association and Toy Traders of Europe under which those groups will target improved toy safety.

ECHA CLOSES REACH-IT SYSTEM FOR DATA MIGRATION The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) said that its online REACH-IT system will be closed until January 5 but that after that date it will accept documents only through the system.

FOREIGN & INTERNATIONAL BRIEFS Briefs on lighters, toys, chemicals, pajama, high chairs, evaporative coolers, rotary tools, stuffed toys, welding guns, glue, pacifiers, lampshades, makeup remover, RAPEX.