Partial ban for health-risk chemicals in baby toys

CHEMICALS linked to cancer, asthma, kidney and reproductive problems have been banned from toys and childcare articles in the EU.

However, the use of three of these phthalates will be allowed in toys for children over three years of age and manufacturers will not be forced to put a warning on the packaging.

Six chemicals have been under a general temporary ban in the EU since 1999 and competitiveness ministers yesterday agreed to vary this ban and make it permanent.

Phthalates are used in a huge range of products from shower curtains to cosmetics and soft toys. They are used as softeners for PVC but can be inhaled or ingested, especially by babies chewing or sucking.

They are found in soothers and teething rings, bath and beach toys, inflatable toys and PVC balls.

Many reputable manufacturers have stopped using them in soothers and other items which babies are likely to put in their mouths.

The ministers agreed to a partial ban on three of the chemicals (DINP, DIDP and DNOP) saying they should not be used in items for babies under three or in anything that they can place in their mouths.

They agreed to a total ban on the other three phthalates (DEHP, DBP and BBP) in toys and childcare articles. All six, however, can be used in concentrations of less than 0.1% which is double the limit imposed by Italy, Finland and Denmark.

The partial ban on three of the chemicals was justified because the scientific information regarding them was lacking or conflicting, the ministers were told.

Competitiveness Minister Mary Harney said banning the three from all toys was considered to be going over the top as they posed no risk and if the chemicals were removed, the items could be too brittle.

“There may be a small risk if you put the items into the mouth. Fertility has been cited as a problem but this is in dispute and industry says banning it would be OTT,” she said.

The European Commission, which proposed putting a warning on the packaging, has been asked to come back with guidelines on implementation.

Karine Pellaumail, Safer Chemicals Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said the decision was long overdue and called on the European Parliament to support the council’s decision when it votes on the matter.

“Innovative and progressive companies, including Marks and Spencer and Ikea, have already committed to phase-out of hazardous substances and prove that substitution is possible, but legislation is essential to make sure the rest of the industry follows suit,” she said.