Europe formalises ban on chemical in toys

The European Parliament today endorsed a ban on a potentially hazardous chemical used to soften plastics used in children’s toys and other childcare products, formalising a measure that could have wide implications for toymakers.

The new law bans six types of phthalates, a family of chemicals generally used to make vinyl plastics more flexible. The ban affects a broad range of products made within the 25-member European Union and imported from other countries, including China.

In 1999, the EU adopted a temporary ban on toys and pacifiers that contained certain phthalates because of concern over possible health risks. The new legislation, approved by an overwhelming majority of deputies, makes this measure permanent.

It bans the use of the three most dangerous phthalates – DEHP, DBP and BBP - in all toys and childcare items irrespective of use and target age group and outlaws three other phthalates – DINP, DIDP and DNOP – in items designed for children under three year of age.

The European Commission, which drafted the law, has said the phthalates released when children put certain products in their mouths were dangerous and might lead to liver, kidney and testicular damage.

Scientific research has produced contradictory findings on the last three types of phthalates, but EU politicians argued a ban should be applied as a precautionary measure.

Prior to the vote, Toy Industries of Europe, an industry lobby group representing companies including the Lego Group and Mattel, said banning DINP could “create supply problems within the European toys market as a result of an immediate and high demand for the very small number of approved alternative substances”.