Phthalates Testing | EU Directive 2005/84/EC

Phthalates are a group of plasticizers with softening and elastic effects. They are widely used in hundreds of types of products such as toys, food packaging materials, medical appliances, shoes, and apparels, etc.

Studies have shown that men’s sperm reduction over the past few decades may be related to the use of phthalates as softeners. Experts also found phthalates contained in soft plastic toys and children’s products may be placed in the mouth of a child. However, placing long enough in the mouth will result in phthalates dissolution in excess of safety standards, which endangers children’s liver and kidneys.

The EU Directive 2005/84/EC took effect on 16 January 2007 and set the limits of 6 phthalates in toys and childcare products. Since Annex XVII of REACH came into force in 2009, the Directive 2005/84/EC was replaced by REACH regulation. All the following 6 substances are added into REACH Restriction List.

Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate(DEHP)

Diisononyl phthalate (DINP)

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)

Di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP)

Benzylbutyl phthalate(BBP)

Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP)

 

Other countries have also set the limits of phthalates in toys and children's products. The limits are shown in the following table.

Country Conditions of Restriction (w/w %)
EU

Applicable for all children’s toys and childcare articles for children under 3: DEHP+DBP+BBP≤0.1%

Applicable for all children’s toys and child care articles that can be placed in children’s mouth: DINP + DIDP + DNOP≤ 0.1%

US

Applicable for toys that cannot be placed in mouth for children under 12: DEHP, DBP and BBP≤0.1%

Applicable for all childcare articles and toys that can be placed in mouth for children under 12:

DEHP,DBP, BBP ,DINP , DIDP, DNOP≤ 0.1%

Canada

Applicable ethenylvinyl toys and childcare articles: DEHP, DBP, BBP≤ 0.1%

Applicable for soft ethenylvinyl toys and childcare products that can be placed in mouth for children under 4: DINP, DIDP, DNOP≤ 0.1%

Argentina

Applicable for all children’s toys and childcare articles for children under 3: DEHP+DBP+BBP≤0.1%

Applicable for all children’s toys and child care articles that can be placed in children’s mouth: DEHP+DBP+BBP+DINP+DIDP+DNOP ≤ 0.1%

Brazil

Applicable for ethenylvinyl toys and childcare articles: DEHP, DBP, BBP≤ 0.1%

Applicable for all ethenylvinyl toys and childcare products for children under 3: DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, DNOP≤ 0.1%

Japan

Applicable for all synthetic resin toys: the use of DEHP is prohibited;

Applicable for mouth contact synthetic resin toys for children under 6: the uses of DEHP and DINP are prohibited.

Our Phthalates Testing Services

CIRS offers phthalates testing services in compliance with the latest safety requirements of many countries and regions. Phthalates testing is also one part of our integrated testing solutions for food contact materials and toys.

Since DEHP, DBP and BBP are also on REACH SVHC Candidate List. You might also need our REACH SVHC svhc compliance solutions.

About Us

Chemical Inspection and Regulation Service(CIRS) is a leading provider of toxic and hazardous substances testing and chemical regulatory consulting services with a strong focus on chemical compliance.

CIRS's testing lab located in mainland China has acquired the qualifications of China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) and CMA and follows the ISO/IEC 17025.

Contact

Chemical Inspection and Regulation Service Ltd

Unit 1 Ardee Business Park, Hale Street, Ardee, Co. Louth, Ireland
Tel: +353 41 9806 916 | Fax: +353 41 9806 999
Email:service@cirs-reach.com | http://www.cirs-reach.com