Formamide, BIT, CMI, MI and mixture CMI/MI in toys
In November 2015, the EU published COMMISSION DIRECTIVE (EU) 2015/2115, (EU) 2015/2116 and (EU) 2015/2117 amending Appendix C to Annex II to Directive 2009/48/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the safety of toys. Five new restrictions were added:
- Formamide (CAS No. 75-12-7),
- 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one (CAS No. 2634-33-5),
- reaction mass of: 5-chloro-2- methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-2H -isothiazol-3-one (3:1) (CAS No. 55965-84-9),
- 5-Chloro-2-methyl-isothiazolin-3(2H)-one (CAS No. 26172-55-4) and
- 2-methylisothiazolin-3(2H)-one (CAS No. 2682-20-4).
The restriction on formamide and 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one will come into effect in May, the other limits will apply from November. Companies who are engaged in toy puzzle mats or toy with liquid shall pay special attention to these new requirements.
Regulation |
Substance |
Requirement |
Risk material |
Effective date |
Formamide |
20 μg/m3 (emission limit) of foam toy materials containing more than 200 mg/kg formamide |
Foam, such as EVA |
24 May 2017 |
|
1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one (BIT) |
5 mg/kg (content limit) |
Used as a preservative in water-based toys |
24 May 2017
|
|
Reaction mass of: 5-chloro-2- methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one and 2-methyl-2H -isothiazol-3-one (3:1) |
1 mg/kg (content limit) |
24 Nov 2017 |
||
5-Chloro-2-methyl-isothiazolin-3(2H)-one (CMI) |
0.75 mg/kg (content limit) |
24 Nov 2017 |
||
2-methylisothiazolin-3(2H)-one (MI) |
0.25 mg/kg (content limit) |
24 Nov 2017 |