Toys & Babycare Items

Please note that the restrictions referred to are only those applicable in the European Union..

poolFrom January 17 2007 further restrictions on the use of phthalate plasticisers in toys will come into effect throughout the European Union.

The phthalate plasticiser most commonly used in toys, Diisononyl phthalate (DINP), and the two phthalates diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP) can only be used in toys and childcare articles that cannot be placed in the mouth.

The phthalate plasticisers di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP - sometimes also referred to a DOP), Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and Butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP) will no longer be allowed in any childrens toys or childcare articles.

Until such time as the new regulation comes into force, the temporary ban on the use of DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP and DNOP in toys and childcare articles which are designed to be placed in the mouth by children under the age of three years old continues to apply. This temporary measure was first introduced in the EU in December 1999.

For further information please refer to The PVC Toys Information Centre