Commercial Information Circulars
24-hour hotline : 23 922 922
e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk
Ref : EIC 426/10
1 June 2012
Dear Sirs,
Commercial Information Circular No. 398/2012
Mexico : Official Standard for Heavy Metals Concerning Toys and School Supplies
The Mexican Ministry of Health (MoH) published in the Official Gazette (Diario Oficial de la Federación) of 15 May 2012 a new official standard on heavy metals in toys and school supplies (NOM-252-SSA1-2011). The relevant Gazette notice (in Spanish) is available at:
http://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5247400&fecha=15/05/2012.
DETAILS
2. The standard establishes new limits regarding the bioavailability of lead in toys for children up to 12 years of age and certain other heavy metals (i.e., antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, mercury and selenium) in toys for children up to 3 years of age and preschool supplies (for children no more than 6 years of age). The limits are as follows -
| Soluble Element | Antimony | Arsenic | Barium | Cadmium | Chromium | Lead | Mercury | Selenium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum concentration level (mg/kg) for toys and preschool supplies, except modeling clay and finger paint | 60 | 25 | 1,000 | 75 | 60 | 90 | 60 | 500 |
| Maximum concentration level (mg/kg) for modeling clay and finger paint | 60 | 25 | 250 | 50 | 25 | 90 | 25 | 500 |
3. The standard covers a wide range of materials in toys and preschool items including paint, varnish, lacquer, ink, polymer and similar coatings; polymers and similar substances; paper and cardboard; textiles; glass, ceramic and metallic materials; other materials whether colored or not in the substrate (e.g., wood, hard cardboard, hardboard, bone and leather); materials that leave a trace (e.g., pencil tip or ink pen); modelling and moulding materials etc. Apart from setting out the limits of heavy metals, the standard also specifies the test methods and sampling requirements for relevant products. For details, please refer to the subject Gazette notice.
4. The standard is effective 90 calendar days after its publication in the Official Gazette (i.e., 13 August 2012).
ENQUIRIES
5. For enquiries concerning this circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5682.
Yours faithfully,
(Miss Cindy LAU)
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. |