Since the U.S. Consumer Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) officially came into effect on August 14, 2008, the limits for six plasticizers (phthalates) and lead content in children's toys must comply with regulatory requirements:
1. February 10, 2009 (180 days after the bill takes effect) < 600 ppm
2. August 15, 2009 (1 year after the bill takes effect) < 300 ppm
3. August 14, 2011 (if technically feasible, 3 years after the bill takes effect) < 100 ppm
The Illinois Public Interest Research Group (Illinois PIRG) in Chicago, USA conducted random tests on the lead and plasticizer content of 87 popular toys this year and announced the test results. The test results found that the plasticizer content of 2 of the 7 products tested exceeded the legal limit.
According to current U.S. regulations, if a company expects to launch a new chemical substance on the market, it must notify the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 90 days before the chemical substance is manufactured or imported. The Illinois PIRG organization also recommends that testing requirements for chemical substances should be increased to grasp information about their risks and possible hazards.
The test results conducted by the Illinois PIRG organization in cooperation with the Healthystuff organization can be searched at the following website (http://www.healthystuff.org/departments/toys/product.askforinfo.php). Currently, this database contains more than 5,000 Products tested for toxic substances.
– Reference source: Illinois PIRG website 2009-10-30
– Translated by Plastics Industry Technology Development Center
For reference only, please refer to the original text.
