A proposal to impose concentration limits on phthalates in toys and child care products is open for public comment by the HK Commerce, Industry and Tourism Branch of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CITB-CEDB).
Phthalates are common plasticizers frequently used in polyvinyl chloride products and products with plastic parts. Research found that prolonged exposure to certain kinds of phthalates such as diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), di-isononyl phthalate (DINP), di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP), may lead to damage on liver, kidney, reproductive functioning and development system.
Many developed areas including the EU, the US, Australia, Canada and Singapore have restricted the concentration threshold of such phthalates in child contacts. The threshold set by HK is in accordance with the EU standards, which are:
For toys and child care products with plastic component: DEHP, DBP, BBP no more than
0.1%.
For toys and child care products with plastic component for babies under 48 month who may put those products into month: DINP, DIDP, DNOP
no more than 0.1%.
The consultation runs until 19 January, 2013.
