Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 111/2/21

31 October 2007

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 408/2007

US : California's Ban on Toys and Childcare Articles Containing Certain
Types of Phthalates

The US State of California enacted legislation on 14 October 2007 to prohibit the manufacture, sale, and distribution of toys and childcare products that contain certain phthalates. The law will take effect on 1 January 2009.

DETAILS

2. Phthalates are a class of chemicals used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics to improve flexibility and in cosmetics to bind fragrance to the products. They are used in many products intended for use by young children, including teethers, toys and soft plastic books. Reportedly, however, these chemicals have adverse effects on humans. Having regard to this, the US State of California passed a bill to ban the manufacture, sale and distribution of the following products starting from 1 January 2009 :

• toys or childcare articles that contain di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) in concentrations exceeding 0.1%; and

• toys or childcare articles intended for use by children under three years of age and can be placed in a child's mouth that contain diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) or di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) in concentrations exceeding 0.1%.

3. Moreover, manufacturers are required to use the least toxic alternative when replacing phthalates in their products. The use of certain carcinogens and reproductive toxicants as an alternative is also prohibited. The legislation can be viewed at
   http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_1101-1150/
   ab_1108_bill_20071014_chaptered.pdf.

ENQUIRIES

4. For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at 2398 5682.

Yours faithfully,

(Scott MAK)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry