The restriction of formamide in the EU toy safety directive (TSD) is effective on 24 May, which sets forth a limit of 20 μg/m3 (emission limit) after a maximum of 28 days from commencement of the emission testing of foam toy materials containing more than 200 mg/kg (cut-off limit based on content).

On 25 November 2015, the EU Commission publishes the amendment Regulation (EU) 2015/2115. There are four restricted substances were included in the directive at the same time, namely:

• reaction mass of: 5-chloro-2- methyl-4-isothiazolin- 3-one [EC no. 247-500-7] and 2-methyl-2H -isothiazol-3-one [EC no. 220-239-6] (3:1) (effective on 24 November 2017)
• 5-Chloro-2-methyl-isothiazolin-3(2H)-one (CMI) (effective on 24 November 2017)
• 2-methylisothiazolin-3(2H)-one (MI) (effective on 24 November 2017)
• 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one (BIT) (effective on 24 May 2017): 5 mg/kg (content limit) in aqueous toy materials, in accordance with the methods laid down in EN 71-10:2005 and EN 71-11:2005’

As previously reported, France placed an interim restriction on formamide in toy puzzle mats and renewed the restriction for one year each time in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015. On 9 December 2016, France extended the interim ban to 23 May 2017. And it will, together with other EU member states, regulate formamide in foam toy materials in line with new formamide restriction under the EU toy safety directive (TSD) since 24 May 2017.

Accordingly, C&K Testing advises businesses should choose quality toy materials and make sure their products comply with technical requirements of trading countries.

|Further Information:

Scientific interpretation to formamide

EU toy directive adopts five new restrictions

France extends the interim restriction on formamide in toy puzzle mats to next October

|Our Services: Toys & Children's Products Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC&EN 71