On March 2, 2012, the European Union published Directive 2012\/7\/EU, revising Annex II, Part III of the Toy Safety Directive 2009\/48\/EC, and lowering the cadmium content limit for toys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In June 2009, the European Union issued Toy Directive 2009\/48\/EC, aiming to require manufacturers to comply with toy safety regulations and strengthen enforcement. Toys sold in the EU market must meet these regulations from design to production to avoid adverse effects on human health from chemicals contained in toys. The EU also updates these regulations from time to time to ensure toy safety. Therefore, the recently issued new EU Toy Directive introduces many new safety requirements and restricted substances, including cadmium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The old and new limits for cadmium content in toys are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This Directive 2012\/7\/EU will enter into force on 23 March 2012, and Member States must transpose it into national law by 20 January 2013. From 20 July 2013, the Directive will be implemented throughout the EU.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMaterials<\/td> Old cadmium limit<\/td> New cadmium limit<\/td><\/tr> Scrapeable material<\/td> 23mg\/kg<\/td> 17mg\/kg<\/td><\/tr> Dry, brittle, and flexible materials<\/td> 1.9mg\/kg<\/td> 1.3mg\/kg<\/td><\/tr> Liquid, viscous materials<\/td> 0.5mg\/kg<\/td> 0.3mg\/kg<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n