On July 18, 2016, the EU informed the WTO of the amendment of Annex C in Appendix 2 of the Toy Safety Directive(2009/48/EC), which reduced the migration of bisphenol A from 0.1 mg/L to 0.04 mg/L in toys. The deadline for the return of opinions is 60 days after the notification, the EU's proposed approval date is approximately the fourth quarter of 2016, and the proposed effective date is approximately the second quarter of 2018.
Bisphenol A(also known as BPA) is used industrially for the production of polycarbonate(also known as PC plastics), epoxy resins, and polyethers. Its products are widely used in food contact products such as plastic water cups, plastic milk bottles, and food and beverage tank inner wall coatings. Recent studies have shown that bisphenol A can cause endocrine disorders and threaten fetal and child health. The European Union believes that bisphenol A induces precocity. Since March 2, 2011, the production and import of milk bottles containing bisphenol A have been banned. The European Commission's toy safety expert group is also highly concerned about the impact of bisphenol A in toys on children's safety. According to scientific evidence of bisphenol A safety, The Group of Experts is responsible for recommending to the European Commission the revision of the transport limit values of bisphenol A in Annex C in Appendix 2 to the Toy Safety Directive(2009/48/EC). On June 24, 2014, the EU issued Directive 2014/81/EU to add the limit of bisphenol A to Annex C in Appendix 2 of the Toy Safety Directive(2009/48/EC). Strict restrictions on the use of bisphenol A in toys for children under 36 months of age or in other playthings that can be released. On July 18 this year, the European Union informed the WTO that the toy safety directive(2009/48/EC) had been revised to reduce the amount of bisphenol A in toys from 0.1 mg/L to 0.04 mg/L. The commission said it would continue to adjust the limit requirements for bisphenol A in toy safety directives as new scientific evidence of bisphenol A becomes available. This shows that the European Union's control of bisphenol A in children's toys will become stricter.
At present, bisphenol A plastics are used in the production of food contact products. PC plastic bottles(and PC plastic bottles for children) are everywhere on the domestic market. While bisphenol A plastics are still widely used, Related enterprises must attach great importance to the re-upgrade of the bisphenol A limit requirement in the EU Toy Safety Directive.
The inspection and quarantine authorities again remind toy manufacturers to improve the response mechanism for technical trade measures, keep track of relevant information in the WTO/TBT-SPS website and the official European Union magazine, and keep abreast of the progress of the implementation of European Union directives. Close the raw materials and strengthen the testing of raw materials and finished products, and ensure that the requirements of the new EU directive are met. Improve product design and process to avoid the use of high-risk raw materials. Strengthen the quality control of supply chain, select the supplier with good management and reliable quality.