Phthalate Testing

Phthalates are a class of chemicals widely used as plasticizers, primarily in plastic products such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) to increase flexibility and elasticity. Since phthalates have been proven to have endocrine disrupting effects that can affect the reproductive system and child development, major global markets impose strict restrictions on phthalates in toys and childcare articles. The US CPSIA, EU REACH Regulation Annex XVII Entries 51 and 52, and China GB 6675 have all set limit requirements for phthalates. The types and number of restricted phthalates continue to increase with regulatory updates.

Phthalate testing applies to the following products: toys and children's products (especially toys containing PVC plastic parts, teethers, pacifiers, inflatable pools, children's books, etc.), food contact materials (plastic packaging, sealing rings, bottle cap liners, etc.), consumer products (plastic shoes, artificial leather gloves, shower curtains, wire and cable sheathing, cosmetic containers, etc.), medical devices (blood bags, infusion tubing, etc., some of which have separate regulations), and textiles (products with PVC coatings or prints). For toys and children's products, phthalate restrictions are a global mandatory requirement.

The above limits apply to accessible plastic parts in toys and child care articles for children under 12 years of age that can be placed in the mouth by children.

III. EU RoHS 2.0 Amendment (2015/863) Incorporates four phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP) into the restricted substances list for electrical and electronic equipment, with the limit value of each being1000 ppm(0.1 %).

4. China GB 6675.1-2014 The limits for DEHP, DBP, BBP in toys are0.1 %(mouthable parts), the limit for DINP, DIDP, DNOP is0.1 %(mouthable parts).

The quantification of each phthalate is expressed as a weight percentage in homogeneous materials.