Toys & Childcare | Monthly bulletin | May 2020
CPSC revised safety standard for children's folding chairs and stools
On April 1, 2020, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a direct rule which revises the mandatory standards for children's folding chairs and stools incorporating by reference the most current version ASTM F2613-19.
The revised rule 16 CFR 1232 requires that all children's folding chairs and stools shall comply with all applicable provisions of ASTM F2613-19. In comparison to the former standard adopted by the CPSC, this rule requires that all products without latching and locking mechanisms must have a hinge gap greater than or equal to 1/2-inch.
The final rules will come into force on July 6, 2020, unless the Commission receives significant adverse comment by May 1, 2020.
Please click here for more information.
CPSC proposes to publish safety standard for crib bumpers/liners
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a proposed rule for crib bumpers/liners under section 104 of the CPSIA. Additionally, the Commission proposed to add crib bumpers/liners to the list of notice of requirements (NORs) in 16 CFR 1112.
Under 16 CFR 1240, Crib bumpers/liners are proposed to be defined as any product intended to be placed against any portion of the interior perimeter of a crib which reduces or eliminates an infant's access to the crib sides, slats, spindles, or the spaces between these components.
If approved, each crib bumper/liner must comply with all applicable provisions of ASTM F1917-12, Standard Consumer Safety Performance Specification for Infant Bedding and Related Accessories, with modifications.
Comments can be submitted until June 17, 2020.
Please click here for more information.
New York passes child safe products act
On April 3, 2020, the New York governor signed S.7505B/ A. 9505B into law which requires manufacturers of children’s products to report the presence of chemicals of concern (COC) in products and also bans the use of certain high-priority chemicals(HPC).
As an update to last month’s newsflash, this act makes following main amendments:
- Delete the initial list of 103 chemicals for COC and direct the Department of Environmental Conservation to reconsider, at a minimum, use of the 77 chemicals listed in COC within two years of the effective date
- Designate 1) tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP), 2) benzene, 3) mercury and mercury compounds, including methyl mercury, 4) asbestos, 5) arsenic and arsenic compounds, including arsenic trioxide and dimethyl arsenic, 6) cadmium (except toy coatings), and 7) organohalogen flame retardants in upholstered bedding or furniture as HPC
- Ban the use of children’s products containing Tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate, Benzene and Asbestos from January 1, 2023
The amendments are effective on March 1, 2020, the same day as passed in legislative bills A6296A/S501B.
Please click here for more information.
New specifications for the safety of children's clothing
On 2nd February 2020, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology, and Inspection (BSMI) announced the publication of the amendment to the standard CNS 15291, Safety of Children’s Clothing-Cords and Drawstrings on Children’s Clothing-Specifications, based on the latest child safety standards enacted by the European Union (BE EN 14682).
The main points are:
- Adjusting Tabs: the free ends must be paired with buttons, toggle buttons, or buckles that do not cause entrapment
- Clothing worn from the waist down shall not have free ends of drawstrings longer than 20 cm at each end when the clothing is in a natural relaxed state
- Sleeves, drawstrings, functional cords and decorative cords located below the elbow on long sleeve items shall not hang below the lower edge of the cuff, with the free ends not exceeding 7.5cm
- In regards to halter neck style clothing, as long as no free ends are exposed during wear, it is acceptable to use a clip or fastening for the two cords of the item
Click here to read the relevant BSMI publication.
Regulatory proposals notified to WTO
Please see the below table summarising the most recent notifications made to the World Trade Organization (WTO) (non-exhaustive):
|
Notification number |
Countries |
Title |
|
Europe |
Draft Commission Directive amending Annex II to Directive 2009/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the prohibition of allergenic fragrances in toys
Addition of atranol, chloroatranol and methyl heptine carbonate to the list of prohibited allergenic fragrances of the Toy Safety Directive |
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Europe |
Draft Commission Directive amending Annex II to Directive 2009/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the labelling of allergenic fragrances in toys
More than 60 established contact allergens in humans are added to the list of allergenic fragrances to be labelled under the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC |
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Philipines |
New Schedule of Fees and Charges of the Food and Drug Administration for Licensing, Registration and Other Authorizations and Regulatory Services, Amending Administrative Order No. 50 s. 2001, "Revised 2001 Schedule of Fees and Charges for the Corresponding Services Rendered by the Bureau of Food and Drugs"
Additional guidelines on FDA services particularly in relation to fees and charges, validity of License to Operate (LTO), Certificate of Product Registration (CPR), Foreign Good Manufacturing Practice Certificate (FGMP), among others |
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US |
Safety Standard for Crib Bumpers/Liners
The Commission is proposing a safety standard for crib bumpers/liners, and it is also proposing to identify crib bumpers/ liners as durable infant or toddler products subject to CPSC's consumer registration requirements. In addition, the Commission is proposing an amendment to add crib bumpers to the list of notice of requirements (NORs) issued by the Commission |
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Israel |
SI 1107 – Child restraint devices for motor vehicles
The existing Mandatory Standard, SI 1107, dealing with child restraint devices for motor vehicles, shall be declared voluntary. This declaration aims to remove unnecessary obstacles to trade and lower trade barriers |
Please see below a table summarising some recent standards updates (non-exhaustive):
|
Reference |
Title |
Date of Withdrawal (*) |
Supersedes |
|
Safety of toys — Part 3: Migration of certain elements |
2020-03 |
ISO 8124-3:2010 ISO 8124-3:2010/Amd 1:2014 ISO 8124-3:2010/Amd 2:2018 |
Below you will find a monthly summary table of product recalls and alerts in Europe (Source “RAPEX”) and in the US (Source “CPSC”).
Europe
RAPEX (European Commission Rapid Alert System for dangerous non-food products – Alerts reported by EU national authorities).
The following 36 alerts regarding Childcare articles, equipment and toys have been reported, from week 12 to week 15 of 2020.
|
Type of Risk |
Number of alerts |
Notes |
|
Burns |
1 |
Fancy-dress wig: Parts of the product are flammable and may catch fire if used next to an open flame. Also, the product contains an excessive amount of lead. Does not comply with EN 71-2 |
|
Burns, Choking, Fire |
1 |
Soft-filled toy: the product is easy flammable and may catch fire. Does not comply with EN 71-1 and EN 71-2 |
|
Chemical |
7 |
Plastic toys: they contain di-‘isononyl’ phthalate (DINP), tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) |
|
Toy slime: The migration of boron from the toy slime is too high. Does not comply with EN 71-3 |
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Plastic toys: they contain di-‘isononyl’ phthalate (DINP), tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) |
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Toy slime: The migration of boron from the toy slime is too high. Does not comply with EN 71-3 |
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Chemical, Choking, Injuries |
2 |
Soft toy:
Does not comply with EN 71-1 |
|
Chemical, Environment |
1 |
Plastic figures:
|
|
Choking |
14 |
Plastic wind-up toy: A small part may detach from the toy. Does not comply with EN 71-1 |
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Puzzle playmat: The foam puzzle playmat contains small parts which become easily detached from the product. Does not comply with EN 71-1 |
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Push-along toy: Small plastic parts (the drum sticks) may easily be detached from the toy. Does not comply with EN 71-1 |
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Toy truck set: Some parts (arm of the truck) may break, generating small parts. Does not comply with EN 71-1 |
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Doctor play set: The product has small parts (medication) that can easily detach. Does not comply with EN 71-1 |
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Baby teether and rattle toy set: The product easily breaks releasing small parts. Does not comply with EN 71-1 |
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Soother holders: The product has protruding parts. A small child could put the protruding part in the mouth, which could block the airways and cause choking. Does not comply with EN 71-1 |
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Toy gun: The toy has small parts that can be easily detached and it can easily break, releasing further small pieces. Does not comply with EN 71-1 |
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Plastic toy: The toy contains protruding parts (detachable plastic ring).Does not comply with EN 71-1 |
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Plastic toy: The toy's switch may not work properly and may cause batteries to overheat, get damaged and leak acid. Does not comply with EN 71-1 and EN 62115 |
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Entrapment, Injuries |
1 |
Safety barrier: The safety gate can easily break; a child may pass it and fall down a staircase, and become injured. Does not comply with EN 1930 |
|
Environment |
1 |
Plastic toy: The solders contain an excessive amount of lead and cadmium. Does not comply with RoHS 2 Directive |
|
Injuries |
6 |
Baby toy: Parts of the toy can detach, leaving the protruding bar accessible. Does not comply with EN 71-1 |
|
Travel cot: It is not sufficiently stable and may easily overturn. Does not comply with EN 716 |
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Wooden toy: The toy's mandrel protrudes and has no cover. Does not comply with EN 71-1 |
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Baby walker: There is no protection against falling down steps. Does not comply with EN 1273 |
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Toy scooter: The front wheels are too small and could get stuck in holes in the ground. Does not comply with EN 71-1 |
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Baby walker: The strength of the baby walker is inadequate. Does not comply with EN 1273 |
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Microbiological |
2 |
Squeezable toy: Contains an excessive amount of mesophilic micro-organisms, comprised of opportunistic pathogens which are resistant to multiple antibiotics. Does not comply with the Toy Safety Directive |
From the 16th March 2020 to the 15th April of 2020, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) published the following recalls: 3 recalls regarding Childcare and children’s products.
|
Type of Risk |
Number of alerts |
Notes |
|
Fall |
1 |
Car Seat Adapters can break |
|
Injured |
1 |
The baby walker fails to meet the federal safety standard. |
|
Choking |
1 |
Musical toy: The screws used to attach the spinning flowers to the sides of the toy can become loose and fall off. |
