Reminder: EC to Enforce Directives Amending Chemical Limits of BPA and Phenol in Toys

The European Commission (EC) is set to enforce two directives amending the Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC) to lower the chemical limits of bisphenol A and phenol used in toys.

The directives are:

• Commission Directive (EU) 2017⁄898 amending, for the purpose of adopting specific limit values for chemicals used in toys, Appendix C to Annex II to Directive 2009/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the safety of toys, as regards bisphenol A
  • The Directive lowers the migration limit for bisphenol A (BPA) in toys for children under three, from 0.1 mg/l to 0.04 mg/l.
  • The regulation will take effect beginning November 26, 2018.
• Commission Directive (EU) 2017⁄775 amending, for the purpose of adopting specific limit values for chemicals used in toys, Appendix C to Annex II to Directive 2009/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the safety of toys, as regards phenol
  • The regulation specifies new migration limit for phenol in toys, for children under three years of age, of 5 mg/l and a content limit for its use as a preservative of 10 mg/kg.
  • Phenol is used as a monomer for phenolic resins in the manufacturing of plywood for toys as well as a preservative in water-based liquid toys, such as bubble-blowing products or water-based liquid inks for products such as felt-tipped marker pens.
  • The regulation will be enforced starting on November 4, 2018.

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