September 29, 2014
Details
The European Commission (EC) has proposed draft Commission Directive amending, for the purpose of adopting specific limit values for chemicals used in toys, Appendix C to Annex II to Directive 2009/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the safety of toys.
Phenol is used as a monomer for phenolic resins in the manufacture of plywood for toys. The degradation of phenolic antioxidants in polymers can be a further source of phenol in toys. Phenol can also be found as a preservative in water-based liquid toys such as bubble-blowing products, water based liquid inks (e.g. felt-tipped marker pens) or finger paints.
Formamide is used as a solvent, plasticizer or as a substance associated with a blowing agent used in the creation of foam toys, such as puzzle mats.
BIT, CMI and MI are used as preservatives in toys.
- Proposed date of adoption: First quarter of 2015
- Proposed date of entry into force: Third quarter of 2016
Why It Matters
The draft Commission Directive introduces limit values for phenol, formamide, and BIT, and CMI and MI in a ratio of 3:1, as well as CMI and MI individually in toys intended for children under 3 years or in other toys intended to be put in the mouth, in order to ensure alignment to the latest scientific evidence and increase children's safety.
SUBSTANCE |
CAS NO |
CLASSIFICATION |
LIMIT VALUE |
Phenol |
108-95-2 |
mutagenic category 2 under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 |
|
Formamide |
75-12-7 |
toxic to reproduction category 1B under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 |
|
1,2-benzisothiazol- 3(2H)-one |
2634-33-5 |
skin sensitizer under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 |
|
reaction mass of: 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one [EC no. 247-500-7] and 2-methyl-2H -isothiazol-3-one [EC no. 220-239-6] (3:1) |
55965-84-9 |
|
|
5-Chloro-2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one |
26172-55-4 |
|
|
2-methylisothiazol- 3(2H)-one |
2682-20-4 |
|
|
Directive 2009/48/EC does not currently provide for a migration limit for phenol, emission limit for formamide, specific limit value for BIT, specific limit value for CMI/MI 3:1, nor for CMI or MI individually, nor a general limit value for sensitizers.
How UL Can Help
Across our global network of laboratories, UL’s third-party testing services can help ensure regulatory compliance to EU Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC.