Balloons are a simple and low-cost way to decorate, play and celebrate with friends and family. Amidst all the fun, consumers probably don’t give much thought to how or what balloons are made of and the risks they can pose. However, because of their appeal to children, they are subject to strict safety rules.
In June 2023, Hong Kong Consumer Council published its surveillance report where 19 styles of latex balloons were tested and nearly 70% had failed to comply with the relevant EU toy safety regulations. There are regulations in the EU that set safe levels for the chemical compounds that balloons contain.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies nitrosamines and nitrosatable as probable carcinogens which can increase the risk of gastric and oesophageal cancers, if ingested beyond the safe threshold. They are formed in the manufacture of balloons when the rubber is processed to make it more resistant. These chemicals can be released into saliva when a balloon is inflated by mouth. To keep consumers safe, there are legal limits to the presence of nitrosamines in toys.
In some countries, toy safety rules also require warnings labels to help prevent children from choking or suffocating from inhaling or swallowing uninflated or broken balloons. Finally, products on the market in the EU should have labels in the language of the country of sale, as well as the widely recognized ‘CE’ marking showing compliance with single European market product safety standards.
To combat the need for compliance, SGS offers different services to ensure your balloons comply with relevant regulations and quality standards for the Hong Kong market.
| Test Items | Discount Offer |
|---|---|
| N-Nitrosamine Content & N-Nitrosatable Substances | HKD 1,600* |
| Migration of Certain Elements (19 elements) | 20% Discount |
| Total Cadmium Content | |
| Organotins (TBT, TPhT, TCyT, TOT, TPT, DBT, DOT, TMT) | |
| 7 Phthalates Content (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP, DINP, DIDP, DNOP) | |
| 8 PAHs Content | |
| Short Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (SCCP) (C10-C13) |
* per colour per material
SGS provides manufacturers, retailers, and importers with comprehensive customized Quality Assurance Solutions for all toy needs.
To purchase our Toy services, please visit our e-commerce platform - TIC Mall.
Please contact our Customer Service Team for more information!
To obtain a copy in PDF, please click here.
About SGS
We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for sustainability, quality and integrity. Our 97,000 employees operate a network of 2,650 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.
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25 Lok Yip Road,
Fanling, New Territories, Hong Kong, China