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Latest EU & US Chemical Safety Updates for Toys

Chemical safety of toys has long been a concern of toy manufacturers. The reason is that toy manufacturing involves different raw materials and chemicals which may potentially contain hazardous heavy metals, phthalates, PAH, formaldehyde, nitrosamine, etc….Worldwide countries try to ensure that toys are safe and non-toxic by setting regulations to govern these chemicals.  

In this article, recent regulation update of chemical requirement for toys in the EU and US markets will be interpreted in details.

A. Toy Safety Directive Appendix C – Formaldehyde

(EU) 2019/1929 was published to restrict formaldehyde in toy intended for use by children under 36 months or in other toys intended to be placed in the mouth. (Already Effective on May 21, 2021)

Substance

Limit Value

Toy Material

Test Method

Formaldehyde migration

1.5 mg/L

Polymeric

EN 71-10:2005 &

EN 71-11:2005

Formaldehyde emission

0.1 ml/m³

Resin-bonded wood

EN 717-1:2004

Formaldehyde

30 mg/kg

Textile

EN ISO 14184-1:2011

30 mg/kg

Leather

EN ISO 17226-1:2008

30 mg/kg

Paper

EN 645:1993 &

EN 1541:2001

10 mg/kg

Water-based

EDQM method

Note:

  1. A) Polymeric toy material, actual testing only on melamine formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde, polyacetal resin, phenolic resin polymer and rubber.
  2. B) water-based material such as finger paint, bubble solution, playdough and modelling clay will be tested
  3. C) resin-bonded wood material, perform first screening by EN 717-3 first. PASS will be issued if no detectable formaldehyde is found. If any detectable formaldehyde is found, EN 717-1 (the chamber method) will be performed for confirmation.

B. European Commission Publishes Latest List of Harmonized Toy Safety Standard

On Nov 16, 2021, the European Commission published the Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1992 to announce an updated complete list of harmonized standards in support of Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC.

The new version of standards EN 71-2:2020, EN 71-3:2019+A1:2021, EN 71-4:2020 are now listed as the harmonized standards under Toy Safety Directive, in the Annex I of the Decision.

  • Latest List of Harmonized Standards for Toys in Support of Directive 2009/48/EC

No.

Reference of the New Standard

Replaced Standards (Date of Mandatory Application of New Standard)

1

EN 71-2 : 2020

Safety of Toys – Part 2: Flammability

EN 71-2 : 2011 + A1 : 2014

(15 May 2022)

2

EN 71-3 : 2019 + A1 : 2021

Safety of Toys – Part 3: Migration of certain elements

EN 71-3 : 2019

(15 May 2022)

3

EN 71-4 : 2020

Safety of Toys – Part 4: Experimental sets for chemistry and related activities

EN 71-4 : 2013

(15 May 2022)

*BV current offer of EN 71-2, 71-3, 71-4 is the most updated Harmonized standards

C. EU Commission Amends 2009/48/EC for Aluminium Limits

EU Commission Amends 2009/48/EC with respect to Aluminium Limits. The limit values for Al have been amended. (Already Effective on May 20, 2021)

 

mg/kg in dry, brittle, powder-like or pliable toy material

mg/kg in liquid or sticky toy material

mg/kg in scraped-off toy material

Aluminium

(Current limits)

5.625

1,400

70,000

Aluminium

(Revised limits)

2,250

560

28,130

D. EU Toy Safety Directive – Allergenic Fragrances Requirements Amended

  • The European Commission has published Directives (EU) 2020/2088 and 2020/2089 to amend Annex II to Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC regarding the prohibition and labelling of allergenic fragrances in toys.
  • Member states shall apply the amendments from July 5, 2022.
  • Summary of the Amendment:

List of prohibited allergenic fragrances extended (from 55 to 58 allergenic fragrances)

  • Add 3 allergenic fragrances

Name of allergenic fragrances

CAS number

Atranol (2,6-Dihydroxy-4methyl-benzaldehyde)

 

526-37-4

Chloroatranol (3-Chloro-2,6-Dihydroxy-4-methyl-benzaldehyde)

5707-21-2

Methyl heptane carbonate

111-12-6

Presence of traces of these fragrances shall be allowed provided that such presence is technically unavoidable under good manufacturing practice and does not exceed 100 mg/kg.

List of allergenic fragrances which require labelling extended (from 11 to 71 allergenic fragrances)

  • Add 61 allergenic fragrances
  • Add 2 CAS no. to Citronellol (1117-61-9 and 7540-51-4)
  • Remove methyl heptane carbonate (111-12-6) as it becomes a prohibited allergenic fragrance

If the fragrance is added to a toy or its component at a concentration exceeding 100 mg/kg, the names of the allergenic fragrances shall be labelled on the toy, on an affixed label, on the packaging or in an accompanying leaflet.

Commission Directive (EU) 2020/2028 

Commission Directive (EU) 2020/2029

E. EU Restricts Aniline under Toy Safety Directive Appendix C

  • European Commission published (EU) 2021/903 to restrict aniline in certain toy materials in Jun 2021.
  • The Directive introduce new limit values for aniline in textile, leather toy materials and finger paints under Appendix C to Annex II of the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC.
  • Effective Date : Dec 5, 2022
  • Limit values for aniline (CAS no. 62-53-3) used in toys intended for use by children under 36 months or in other toys intended to be placed in the mouth.

Substance

Limit Value

Aniline

30 mg/kg after reductive cleavage in textile toy material and leather toy material

30 mg/kg after reductive cleavage in finger paints

10 mg/kg as free aniline in finger paints

Note:  

1) Textile and leather material of aniline can be covered by azo dye testing reference to EN ISO 14362-1 and EN ISO 17234-1. Finger paint can be well covered by EN 71- 7

2) BV can offer the aniline testing

US & Canada Chemical Updates for Toys

A. California Governor Approved PFAS Law: Juvenile Products

  • Beginning on July 1, 2023, juvenile products cannot be manufactured, sold or distributed in commerce in US state of California that contains regulated PFAS chemicals.
  • PFAS chemical: Common types like PFOS, PFOA & its related salts which have the function to add in textile, leather to make stain/ water/ oil repellent.

“Regulated perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances” or “regulated PFAS” means either of the following:

(1) PFAS that a manufacturer has intentionally added to a product and that have a functional or technical effect in the product, including, but not limited to, the PFAS components of intentionally added chemicals and PFAS that are intentional breakdown products of an added chemical that also have a functional or technical effect in the product.

(2) The presence of PFAS in a product or product component at or above 100 parts per million, as measured in total organic fluorine.

“Juvenile product” means a product designed for use by infants and children under 12 years of age, including, but not limited to, a baby or toddler foam pillow, bassinet, bedside sleeper, booster seat, changing pad, etc.

B. US State – Massachusetts Restricts Flame Retardants in Bedding, Furniture, Window Treatments, Carpeting and Children’s Products

Scope of products included under this state law:

  • Covered products: bedding (mattress pad, sheeting, pillow, comforter, blanket, sleeping bag or any other stuffed article for reclining or sleeping),
  • Window treatments (curtain, shades, blinds),
  • Carpeting (fabric floor covering including padding),
  • Residential upholstered furniture, seating or other upholstered products
  • Children’s product, a consumer product intended made or marketed for use by children 12 years of age or under.

The following chemical flame retardants are restricted under this law:

Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP); Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), Antimony trioxide, Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD); Bis(2- Ethylhexyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrabromophthalate (TBPH), 2-EthylhexY1-2,3,4,5-tetrabromobenzoate (TBB), Chlorinated paraffins, Tris (1-chloro-2- propyl)phosphate (TCPP), PentaBDE, • OctaBDE, • Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA)

The law restricts the chemicals used as follows: “A manufacturer or retailer shall not sell, offer or manufacture for sale, distribute a covered product, except for inventory manufactured prior to December 31, 2021, that contains any of the chemical flame retardants or a chemical analogue the total weight of which exceeds 1,000 ppm.

Recommendations from Bureau Veritas:

The safety of classical and juvenile products are the most prior concern for consumers, especially parents. To protect children from hazardous chemicals and minimize the risk of recall, it is suggested to gain an authorized certificate of related tests.

Content contributor: Business Development of Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services Hong Kong (All rights reserved)

Content contributor: Business Development of Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services Hong Kong (All rights reserved)

Bureau Veritas is an authorized lab to deliver the above certification, mentioned testing method and other international testing, inspection/audit and certification. To design optimized solutions for your global market access needs, you are welcomed to contact us.

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