Phthalates
Phthalates are a group of chemicals with softening effects, widely used in toys, food packaging materials, medical blood bags and pipes, vinyl flooring and wallpaper, cleaning agents, lubricants, personal care products such as nail polish, hair spray, soap and shampoo, etc. Studies have shown that men’s sperm reduction over the past few decades may be related to the use of phthalates as softeners. Phthalates might pose great risk to human health if the concentration exceeds certain standard.
Phthalates in different forms
- Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate(DEHP)
- Diisononyl phthalate (DINP)
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- Di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP)
- Benzylbutyl phthalate(BBP)
- Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP)
Extra attention has been paid to the use of phthalates in children’s products. In 1999 the EU formally made a decision in its member states that phthalates are strictly restricted in mouth contact toys (such as baby pacifiers) for children under 3 years old as well as other children’s products. Experts found phthalates contained in soft plastic toys and children’s products may be placed in the mouth of a child. Placing long enough in the mouth will result in phthalates dissolution in excess of safety standards, which endangers children’s liver and kidneys and sexual precocity may also be caused.
Phthalates limits in Toys
The EU Directive 2005/84/EC covering the restriction on toys and child-care products, took effect on 16 January 2007 and set a limit of phthalates in children’s products. All EU Member States shall transfer the Directive to native laws before 7 June 2007 and guarantee to implement its own laws on 16 June 2008. Romania and Bulgaria which join EU on 1 January 2008, also implemented this Directive. The Directive will influence importers greatly. According to the Directive, child-care products refers to anything helpful to children’s sleep, relaxation and sanitation as well as products in a variety of shapes intended for children feeding or sucking.
Requirement of EU Directive 2005/84/EC
- Plasticized parts of children’s toys or child care articles can’t contain concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of DEHP, DBP or BBP ;
- Children’s toys or child care articles, with concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of DEHP, DBP or BBP, can’t enter the EU market;
- Children’s toys and child care articles that can be placed in a child’s mouth can’t contain concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of DINP, DIDP, DNOP;and
- Children’s toys or child care articles, with concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of DINP、DIDP or DNOP, can’t enter the EU market.
If you are an importer or manufacturer of plastic products or children’s products, you need to ensure your products to be compliant with the limit of Phthalates. Other hazardous substances that are restricted in above products might include SVHC, PAHs, PFOS, PoHS, other substances on REACH-Restriction list and so on.
DORUK SISTEM offers such testing services to you or your suppliers and make your products comply with EU legislation. DORUK SISTEM will follow up and inform you about developments on Phthalates as a complementary service.
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