On August 19, 2011, the European Commission published a resolution in the Official Journal of the European Union concerning Germany's restrictions on certain types of chemicals used in toys. Germany had requested on January 20, 2011, to retain its restrictions on five elements—lead, arsenic, mercury, barium, and antimony—released from toys and toy materials, as well as nitrosamines and nitrosoamines. The aforementioned Commission resolution addresses this request. According to EU Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC, the content of nitrosamines and nitrosoamines in toys was restricted from July 20, 2013, but Germany's proposed restrictions were more stringent. From July 20, 2013, Germany was required to harmonize its relevant legislation with the Directive, but Germany requested EU approval to maintain its stricter restrictions. If the EU accepts Germany's request, its restrictions will be more stringent than those of other EU member states, potentially hindering normal trade within the EU internal market and increasing costs for traders. The Commission must assess whether the trade barriers caused by Germany's request are worthwhile, for example, whether Germany can improve protections for children's health. Currently, German consumer product regulations restrict nitrosamines and nitrosoamines, stipulating that natural or synthetic rubber toys intended for use by children under 36 months or that may be placed in the mouth must release nitrosamines and nitrosoamines in extremely low amounts, undetectable by laboratories. The regulations stipulate migration limits for nitrosamines and nitrosoamines of less than 0.01 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg, respectively. As for the European Union...
