enforcement of CE regulations is causing problems for boardgames in EU

[limburger 22441xp 0]

It appears that the requirement of imported goods to have a valid CE label (toy safety) is causing problems for boardgames delivered through Kickstarter. It definitely has caused problems for Victory 2nd edition by Columbia games (a delay of several weeks as customs delayed the import).

Source :

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/columbiagames/hammer-of-the-scots/posts/2470712

Kickstarterverbot für EU-Bürger

(German text)

Legal : https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32009L0048

https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/90058baa-00c8-4f33-973d-b4c48158be96

(warning : lots of legalese that makes no sense to normal people like us)

Wikipedia : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CE_marking

Technically no real change in laws, but a distinct change in enforcement of existing regulations at the border (at least the ones in Germay).

Because boardgames are technically classified as ‘toys’ this means that certification is essential for anything that isn’t made in the EU.
I must admit that I do understand why they’re doing it (toy safety is important), but given that boardgames aren’t always targetted at children it is weird to have them classified as ‘toys’. Who knew that a couple of wooden blocks could cause so much trouble in a flocking wargame ?

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