PLASTICIZER IN TOYS - Short version

In 1996 the Consumer Council started commissioning research work on the subject of release of chemicals from plastics used in toys and funding of diploma and doctoral theses. The work was carried out in co-operation with the Vienna University of Technology.

At that time it has been suspected already that the amounts of plasticizers released when children suck or bite baby articles are above those determined in usual food packaging tests. In practical sucking experiments involving students it has been demonstrated that the amounts could be up to 25 times higher. These experiments were the first ones of that kind world-wide.

Limit values for chemicals in toys have been established in European standards. The Consumer Council has been entrusted with the development of analytical methods for plasticizers. However, the standards cover only a small fraction of the possible substances. For this reason consumer organisations call for a strengthening of the chemical requirements in the European Toys Directive.