Commercial Information Circulars
24-hour hotline : 23 922 922
e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk
Ref : EIC 191/2
31 January 2011
Dear Sirs,
Commercial Information Circular No. 81/2011
Canada : Phthalates Regulations
The Canadian Department of Health (Health Canada) has announced on 18 January 2011 the introduction of the Phthalates Regulations under the Hazardous Products Act (HPA) to restrict the use of six phthalates in children’s toys and child care articles. The new Regulations will become effective on 10 June 2011. The relevant Canadian Gazette notice issued on 22 December 2010 is available at http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2010/2010-12-22/html/sor-dors298-eng.html. Relevant information can also be found in a fact sheet on the Phthalates Regulations prepared by the Health Canada and is available at http://hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/_2011/2011_07fs-eng.php.
DETAILS
2.Phthalates are a family of chemicals used as plasticizers that have a large number of industrial and commercial applications. Phthalates are added to vinyl plastic to make it both soft and flexible. Research shows that phthalates may adversely affect reproduction and development. Phthalates that leach out of the soft vinyl products during periods of sustained mouthing action (sucking and chewing) and migrate into the body through saliva can be harmful.
3.In order to limit children and infants' exposure to phthalates, the Health Canada has announced the new Phthalates Regulations:
to restrict the allowable concentrations of di (2-ethylhexl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) to no more than 1,000 mg/kg (0.1%) in the soft vinyl of all children's toys and child care articles; and
to restrict the allowable concentrations of diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP) to no more than 1,000 mg/kg (0.1%) in the soft vinyl of children's toys and child care articles where the soft vinyl can, in a reasonably foreseeable manner, be placed in the mouth of a child under four years (48 months) of age.
4.Under the new Regulations, children's toys and child care articles not meeting the stated requirements are prohibited from being imported, sold or advertised in Canada. Please refer to the Gazette notice and the information in the website of Health Canada for details of the Phthalates Regulations. Traders are also strongly advised to seek clarifications with their importers in Canada in order to comply with the necessary requirements.
ENQUIRIES
5.For enquiries concerning this circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5682.
Yours faithfully,
(Miss Carmen CHAN)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry
| Note : | While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same. |