Eurofins | Newsflash - August 2018 | Toys & Childcare

Europe

New Toy Standard version: EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018

As it was advanced in our last month’s Eurofins News Flash, on 27^th June 2018 CEN published new amendment of EN 71-1: EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018.

A summary of some of the main changes (within others) are presented below:

Cords and drawstrings in toys and packaging	Introduction of EN 14682 requirements (with modifications) New instructions on how to measure the total length when two strings are attached to the same toy 25N is the maximum force permitted to detach cords from costumes Apply to toy disguise costumes for children of all ages
Projectiles, rotors, propellers and flying toys	Kinetic energy density requirements Projectiles travelling a distance of less than 300 mm are excluded New requirements for rotors and propellers on flying toys New requirements for toy catapults and projectiles propelled by an elastic band
Others	Scooters: test method amended Requirements that do not apply to inflatable toys if a pump is needed Changes in the warnings in water toys Clarification of braking requirements for tricycles

It is expected that this standard would be harmonised under Directive 2009/48/EC for Safety of Toys after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Europe

Intention of restriction for TCEP, TCPP and TDCP

ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) has published the intention to restrict the following organophosphate flame retardants in childcare articles and residential upholstered furniture. Mattresses for adults and other textiles may be included too.

Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) (EC 204-118-5)
Tris(2-chloro-1-methylethyl) phosphate (TCPP) (EC 237-158-7)
Tris[2-chloro-1-(chloromethyl)ethyl] phosphate (TDCP) (EC 237-159-2)

Expected date of submission will be on 12^th April 2019.

Click here for going to the registry of restriction intentions in ECHA’s website.

Europe

Standards Updates

Below a summary table with some recent standards updates and upcoming dates of withdrawal (non-exhaustive):

(*)Date of availability (dav) date when the definitive text in the official language versions of an approved CEN/CENELEC publication is distributed by the Central Secretariat.

Reference	Title	Date of Availability*
CEN/TR 15371-2:2018	Safety of toys - Interpretations - Part 2: Replies to requests for interpretation of the chemical standards in the EN 71-series	2018-06-27
CEN/TR 13387-3:2018	Child care articles - General safety guidelines - Part 3: Mechanical hazards	2018-07-04
CEN/TR 13387-2:2018	Child care articles - General safety guidelines - Part 2: Chemical hazards	2018-07-11

Iceland

New requirement for swings

On 28^th June 2018, the Department of Industries and Innovation of Iceland notified a Regulation amending Icelandic Regulation No. 944/2014 on the safety of toys and their marketing in the European Economic Area.

The aim is to have new requirements for ropes or chains in swings so they cannot be looped.

Click here for getting the notification through the European Commission website with reference 2018/9008/IS.

CPSC Publishes Safety Standard for Baby Changing Products

On 26^th June 2018, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a final rule establishing a safety standard for baby changing products pursuant to Section 104(b) requirement of the CPSIA.
This final rule requires baby changing products to comply with the newest version ASTM F2388-18, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Baby Changing Products for Domestic Use, including following provisions:

Definitions
Scissoring, Shearing, and Pinching
Self-Folding Steps
Structural Integrity Requirements
Restraint System Requirements
Warning Label Requirements
Instructional Literature Requirements

The rule also amends 16 CFR 1112 REQUIREMENTS PERTAINING TO THIRD PARTY CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT BODIES and will come into effect on June 26, 2019. Click here for more details.

CPSC Issues a Final Rule for Booster Seats

On 2^nd July 2018, the US CPSC published a final mandatory safety standard for booster seats under CPSIA This final rule incorporates by reference the most current version of ASTM F2640-18, Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Booster Seats which was approved on April 1, 2018, with amendments including new performance and testing requirements, clarification of the installation position and new warning statements.

Amending 16 CFR 1112 to include the standard for booster seats to the list of notices of requirements (NORs), the rule will take effect on January 2, 2020. Click here for more information.

CPSC Exempts Engineered Wood Products from Lead, ASTM F963 Elements and Phthalates Test

On 22^nd June 2018, the CPSC published a final rule on the Federal Register exempting certain untreated and unfinished engineered wood products (EWPs) from third party testing regarding lead, ASTM F963 elements and phthalates requirements.

The EWPs covered in this rule (16 CFR 1252) are particleboard, hardwood plywood and medium-density fibreboard that is untreated and unfinished made from virgin wood or pre-consumer wood waste. Hardwood plywood containing polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) adhesive formulations is not relieved of the phthalate regulation because the Commission detected exceeding levels of phthalates in this product.

This rule will be effective from July 23, 2018. Click here for more information.

Standards Updates

Below a summary table with some recent ASTM standards updates:

Reference	Title
ASTM F1235	Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Portable Hook-On Chairs

Standard proposal for Stationary Activity Centers

On 19^th June, the rulemaking proposal for Stationary Activity Centers (SAC) was published in the Federal Register (16 CFR 1238).
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) proposes a safety standard ASTM F2012–18 ε1 for this kind of products under Section 104(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 CPSIA.

The consultation is opened until 4^th September.

Click here for getting the 16 CFR Parts 1238 in the Federal Register.

US - Minnesota

Reminder of deadline for flame retardants

From 1^st July 2018, the “Minnesota Statutes Chapter 325F.071- Flame retardant chemicals; Prohibition” is of application.

This legislation restricts the use of four flame retardants in products for children under 12 years and in upholstered residential furniture.

Manufacturers and wholesalers must comply with the limits ≤1000 ppm of the following flame retardants:

Tris (1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate (TDCPP, Chemical Abstracts Service #13674-87-8)
Decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-BDE, CAS #1163-19-5)
Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD, CAS #25637-99-4)
Tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP, CAS #115-96-8)

Retailers have until on 1^stJuly 2019 to comply with these same requirements.

Click here for reading more information in the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

Canada

Canada Publishes New Regulations Amending the Toys Regulations (Magnetic Toys): SOR/2018-138

On 11^th July 2018, Health Canada issued an amendment for toy regulation regarding magnetic toys on the Canada Gazette, Part II.
The new regulation SOR/2018-138 covers the following main amendments:

Amends the definitions of plush toy, soft toy and toy in section 1 of the Toys Regulations
Amends Section 37 of the Regulations by deleting Section 37(2)
Repeals Subsection 38(3) of the Regulations
Adds Section 43 and Section 44 for magnetic toy

Section 43 Magnetic force: Magnetic flux index less than 50 kG2mm2 (0,5 T2mm2) using a force of not more than 4.45 N or Non-small part
Section 4 Exceptions for magnetic components and warning statement

Adds the Schedules 9 and 10 to these Regulations

Schedules 9:Test Method for Integrity of Magnetic Toys and Magnetic Components
Schedules 10:Test Method for Determination of Magnetic Flux Index

These regulations would come into effect six month after the publication, that is January 11, 2019. Click here for more information.