Your regular update for technical and industry information
Your regular update for technical and industry information
In 2016, we share with you that the European consumer voice in standardisation (ANEC) called for formaldehyde requirements1 in toys which are intended for use by children under 36 months or other toys intended to be placed in the mouth. On 18 December 2018, the European Commission (EC) has finally notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of the draft Directive2 setting specific limits for formaldehyde in toys that are intended for use by children under 36 months or other toys that are intended to be placed into mouth. The feedback period opens until 16 February 2019.
The amendment would be made under Appendix C to Annex II to the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC. Summary of the proposed limit values in different materials and suggested test methods are listed below.
Toy materials |
Proposed limit values |
Test methods |
Remarks |
Polymers |
1.5 mg/l (migration limit) |
EN 71-10 and EN 71-11 |
Lower than current requirement in EN 71-9 (2.5 mg/l) |
Resin-bonded wood |
0.1 ml/m3 (emission limit) |
EN 717-1 |
Different from the method adopted by EN 71-9 (EN 717-3) |
Textile |
30 mg/kg |
EN ISO 14184-1 |
In line with current requirement in EN 71-9 |
Leather |
30 mg/kg |
EN ISO 17226-1 |
- |
Paper |
30 mg/kg |
EN 645 and EN 1541 |
In line with current requirement in EN 71-9 |
Water-based |
10 mg/kg |
EDQM method3 |
Lower than current requirement in EN 71-9 (0.05 %) |
Formaldehyde is classified as Carcinogenic category 1B under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 which subject to general ban under Toy Directive. In light of the scientific evidence provided by ANEC, the subgroup “Chemicals” of the Expert Group on Toys Safety advised the Commission to regulate the use of formaldehyde in toys.
Below are the toy materials in which formaldehyde is known to exist:
[1] ANEC proposes formaldehyde restriction in toys, Oct 2016
[2] WTO Notification
[3] Test method published by the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare of the Council of Europe
[4] Opinion of the SCHER on the risk assessment of organic chemicals in toys
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