What are the regulations on the safety of toys used in preschools in Vietnam?

In Vietnam, what does toy used in preschool education institution mean?

Under Clause 1, Article 2 of Circular 47/2020/TT-BGDDT, the regulations are as follows:

Definitions

In this Circular, the terms below are construed as follows:

1. “toy used in preschool education institution” means a toy used to nurture, care for and educate students of an preschool education institution (hereinafter referred to as “toy”).

2. “self-made toy” means a toy made by an organization or individual and used to nurture, care for and educate students of an preschool education institution.

3. “educational resource used in preschool education institution” means a material containing or delivering early childhood education contents for the purposes of nurturing, caring for and educating students of an preschool education institution (hereinafter referred to as “educational resource”).

4. “educational resource in the form of publication” means an educational resource published via a publisher or a regulatory body or organization granted a publishing license, including printed documents, raised letter documents, pictures, picture cards and electronic educational resources (which are documents digitalized with a certain format and script and stored in electronic devices) (hereinafter referred to as “published educational resource”).

5. “self-made educational resource” means an educational resource toy made by an organization or individual and used to nurture, care for and educate students of an preschool education institution.

Thus, “toy used in preschool education institution” means a toy used to nurture, care for and educate students of an preschool education institution (hereinafter referred to as “toy”).

What are the regulations on the safety of toys used in preschools in Vietnam?

According to Article 4 of Circular 47/2020/TT-BGDDT, the safety of toys used in preschools in Vietnam are specified as follows:

- Toys must comply with existing Governmental regulations elaborating on the Product and Goods Quality Law 2007 and regulations of the Ministry of Science and Technology on children’s toy safety.

- Toys must meet existing regulations on technical standards of the Ministry of Education and Training.

- Toys must have information on copyright (stamps, labels, importer, place of manufacturing, expiry date, and assembling and storage instructions) and an unexpired certificate of conformity and be affixed with conformity marking as per the law.

- For self-made toys: use non-toxic ingredients that meet hygiene and safety requirements; and avoid recycled plastic and disposable plastic.

What are the regulations on the safety of toys used in preschools in Vietnam? (Image from the Internet)

What is the educational role of toys used in preschools in Vietnam?

According to Article 6 of Circular 47/2020/TT-BGDDT, the educational role of toys used in preschools in Vietnam is:

- Toys must be appropriate to early childhood education curricula as well as the care and education of children in preschool education institutions; and support physical, language, cognitive, aesthetic and emotional - social development of children.

- Toys must promote developmental objectives of early childhood education curricula, suit integration trends and facilitate renovation of methodologies.

- Toys must not have violent contents or distorted or discriminatory information concerning politics, religions, races and sexes.

- Toy design must promote physical, cognitive and creativity development; and be appropriate to the needs and developmental characteristics of each age.

- Toys shall be capable of supporting children with special needs such as physical, sensory and learning needs.

What are the rules for selection of toys used in preschool education institutions in Vietnam?

According to Article 3 of Circular 47/2020/TT-BGDDT, the rules for selection of toys used in preschool education institutions in Vietnam are:

- Toys included in lists of teaching equipment promulgated by the Ministry of Education and Training shall be selected according to existing regulations.

- Toys not included in lists of teaching equipment promulgated by the Ministry of Education and Training and educational resources shall be selected according to the following rules:

+ Toys and educational resources must meet the requirements in Section 1 and Section 2 Chapter 2 of this Circular;

+ Toys and educational resources must be selected as necessary to implement and develop early childhood education curricula and in accordance with academic year plans and annual topic covering plans;

+ Toys and educational resources shall be selected as appropriate to actual facilities (placing space and location) and resources (toy use capacity of management officials and teachers).

- Toys and educational resources shall be selected in a transparent and lawful manner.