DEHP Summary
The State of California is the only state in the nation to have adopted a law that
limits the concentration of DEHP in products intended for infants and children
to 0.1%, yet even it will not begin to take effect until 2009. Many other states have
attempted similar reforms, but have been overwhelmed by industry lobbying efforts.
The European Union has adopted even more stringent regulations than California,
limiting concentrations to 0.05% DEHP. Consumers in the U.S. will remain
confused, and our youngest will continue to be exposed, until the federal government
adopts and implements a national standard that is protective of children’s health.
Examples of National PVC Childcare Restrictions
Austria |
1999 |
Ban on the sale of phthalate plasticizers in toys for children under age three. |
Denmark |
1999 |
Ban on phthalate plasticizers in toys and childcare articles for infants under age three. |
Argentina |
1999 |
Covers all toys and baby articles containing phthalates that could be chewed by children under three. |
Greece |
1999 |
Bans the import and sale of PVC toys containing phthalates for children under three years old. |
Norway |
1999 |
Bans production, distribution, import and export of toys and other products aimed at children under three years old and containing phthalate plasticizers. |
European Union |
1999 |
Ban on six toxic softeners found in soft PVC toys marketed for teething. In 2000 increased restriction to reduce maximum allowed concentration of phthalates in PVC to 0.05 percent instead of 0.1 percent, and bans any PVC toys containing perfumes, such as fruit flavors, which tempt children to suck them. |
Cyprus |
2000 |
Ban on baby toys made of PVC. |
Fiji Islands |
2000 |
Ban on the sale of children’s items made of PVC, including soft PVC toys intended for children’s mouths, and other articles such as stroller covers and mattress covers. |
Tunisia |
2000 |
Ban on the importation, selling and distribution of all PVC toys and childcare articles intended for children under the age of three and which contain more than 0.1% of one of the six mentioned categories of phthalates (DINP, DEHP, DNOP, DIDP, BBP, DBP). |
Czech Republic |
2001 |
Ban on phthalates in PVC toys. |
Japan |
2001 |
Ordinance: In the production of resin toys, PVC containing DEHP should not be used. |
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