The Toy Safety Directive1 establishes migration limits for 19 elements in toys or components of toys,depending on the toy material used. The migration limits may not be exceeded. However, they do not apply if the toy or the components of the toy clearly exclude any hazard due to sucking, licking, swallowing or prolonged contact with the skin when used as intended or in a foreseeable way, bearing in mind the behaviour of children.

The migration limits are based on a 2008 RIVM report and opinions of the Scientific Committee.In section 2.3.5 of the 2008 RIVM report it is stated that the TDI value for chromium VI “only takes into account non-carcinogenic effects by hexavalent chromium; for the carcinogenic effect by hexavalent chromium a highly uncertain Virtually Safe Dose of 0.0053 μg/kg bw/day has been proposed by OEHHA (1999). A new drinking-water cancer bioassay with hexavalent chromium is being conducted within the US-NTP” (Note "a" to Table 2-2 ). Based on recent findings of the US-NTP, a level of 0.02 ppb in drinking water was proposed by OEHHA in December 2010. A final technical support document for the Public Health Goal for hexavalent chromium in drinking water was published in July 2011.

Taking this new information into consideration, SCHER is asked: