Canada Publishes New Phthalates Regulations for Vinyl Toys and Child Care Articles
SAFEGUARDS | Toys & Juvenile Products NO. 146/16

The new Phthalates Regulations contain minor editorial changes and are technically unchanged. It became effective on June 22, 2016.
In January 2011, we [1] informed you that Canada restricted the use of 6 phthalates in vinyl toys and child care articles. The then new law, Phthalates Regulations (SOR/2010-298), was under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) and became effective in June 2011.
On 22 June, 2016, Canada registered new Phthalates Regulations (SOR/2016-188) [2] under the CCPSA and repealed the Phthalates Regulations (SOR/2010-298). [3] The new Phthalates Regulations contain editorial changes but the technical requirements, such as the scope of products and allowable limits for the 6 phthalates, remain unchanged. The editorial changes are:
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Deleting the ‘Authorization’ section relating to the advertising, sale and importation of vinyl toys and child care articles.
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Adding ‘article de puériculture’ and ‘jouet’ for child care articles and toys in the English section of the Regulations.
Highlights of the new Phthalates Regulations are summarized in Table 1.
Table 1: Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA), Phthalates Regulations, SOR/2016-188
Phthalate | Scope | Requirement | Effective date |
BBP | Vinyl in toys or child care articles | ≤ 1000 mg/kg | 22 June 2016 |
DBP | ≤ 1000 mg/kg | ||
DEHP | ≤ 1000 mg/kg | ||
DIDP | Vinyl in any part of a toy or child care article that can, in a reasonably foreseeable manner, be placed in the mouth of a child under 4 years of age | ≤ 1000 mg/kg | |
DINP | ≤ 1000 mg/kg | ||
DNOP | ≤ 1000 mg/kg | ||
Note SOR/2016-188 contains editorial changes to SOR/2010-298 but the technical requirements, such as the scope of products and allowable limits remain unchanged. |
Definitions
Item | Acronym | Name | Item | Acronym | Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | BBP | Benzyl butyl phthalate | 4 | DIDP | Diisodecyl phthalate |
2 | DBP | Dibutyl phthalate | 5 | DINP | Diisononyl phthalate |
3 | DEHP | Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | 6 | DNOP | Di-n-octyl phthalate |
Throughout our global network, SGS offers consultation and comprehensive testing services (physical/mechanical, chemical, flammability, electrical safety, etc) covering the full spectrum of international product safety and regulatory standards for a wide range of toys. Our laboratories are internationally recognized by major industry associations, accreditation bodies and authorities. With the largest global network of toy experts and testing facilities around the world (including 3 EU Notified Bodies and about 40 CPSC-Accepted Testing Laboratories), SGS is the partner to trust. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information or http://www.sgs.com/toys.
For enquiries, please contact:
Hing Wo Tsang
Global Hardlines
t: +852 2774 7420
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