The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a Direct Final Rule to amend 16 CFR 1308 Prohibition of Children’s Toys and Child Care Articles Containing Specified Phthalates: Determinations Regarding Certain Plastics. This Rule shall be effective on 25 April 2018.

Because 16 CFR 1307 prohibition of children’s toys and child care articles specified phthalates shall be effective, 16 CFR 1308 shall be amended.

Children’s toys and child care articles shall not contain more than 0.1 % of any of the following phthalates:

• Di-(2-ethyhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
• Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
• Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)
• Diisononyl phthalate (DINP)
• Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)
• Di-n-pentyl phthalate (DPENP)
• Di-n-hexyl phthalate (DHEXP)
• Dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP)

The U.S. CPSC determined that the plastics with the additives listed in Annex 1 do not exceed the phthalates content limits, therefore, accessible component parts of children’s toys and child care articles made with the specified plastic, and specified additive listed in Annex 1 are not required to be third party tested.

Annex 1: the list of plastics along with the specified additives:

1.    Polypropylene (PP), with any of the following additives:

1. The plasticizers polybutenes, dioctyl sebacate, isooctyl tallate, paraffinic, naphthenic, and mineral plasticizing oils, and polyol;
2. Unrecovered catalysts;
3. Fillers;
4. Primary and secondary antioxidants;
5. Neutralizing agents;
6. Antistatic agents;
7. Slip agents;
8. Metal deactivators;
9. Quenchers;
10. UV stabilizers;
11. Nucleating agents;
12. Flame retardants;
13. Blowing or foaming agents;
14. Antiblocking agents;
15. Lubricants; or
16. Colorants.

2.    Polyethylene (PE), with any of the following additives:

1. The plasticizers glyceryl tribenzoate, polyethylene glycol, sunflower oil, paraffin wax, paraffin oil, mineral oil, glycerin, EPDM rubber, and EVA polymer;
2. Initiators;
3. Promoters;
4. Unrecovered catalysts;
5. Fillers;
6. Antistatic agents;
7. Flame retardants;
8. Anti-blocking agents;
9. Slip agents;
10. Blowing agents;
11. Cross-linking agents;
12. Antioxidants;
13. Carbon black; or
14. Colorants.

3.    General purpose polystyrene (GPPS), medium-impact polystyrene (MIPS), high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), and super high-impact polystyrene (SHIPS) with any of the following additives:

1. Unrecovered catalysts;
2. Internal lubricants;
3. Chain transfer/transition agents;
4. Stabilizers;
5. Diluents;
6. Colorants;
7. Aluminum chloride, ethyl chloride, hydrochloric acid;
8. Iron oxide, potassium oxide, chromium oxide; or
9. Bifunctional peroxides.

4.    Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), with any of the following additives:

1. The plasticizers hydrocarbon processing oil, triphenyl phosphate, resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate), oligomeric phosphate, long chain fatty acid esters and aromatic sulfonamide;
2. Stabilizers
3. Lubricants;
4. Antioxidants;
5. Molecular weight regulators;
6. Initiators/unrecovered catalysts;
7. Activators;
8. Emulsifiers; or
9. Colorants.

About Intertek

Intertek is a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide. Our network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and more than 100 countries, delivers innovative and bespoke Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification solutions for our customers’ operations and supply chains. Intertek Total Quality Assurance expertise, delivered consistently with precision, pace and passion, enabling our customers to power ahead safely.

www.intertek.com.cn