Korea Proposes Amendments to Toy Regulations
SAFEGUARDS | Toys & Juvenile Products NO. 175/16
The Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) has published Notice No.2016-481, proposing amendments to the Safety Confirmation ANNEX VI Toys, under the Special Act of Safety Management of Children’s Products. Published on September 9, 2016, this proposal aims to clarify the scope of the annex, its exemptions and some specific safety requirements.
The main changes that have been proposed are summarized below:
-
Clarification of the scope and exemptions:
- Musical toys as counterparts of musical instruments
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Educational toys, such as pop-up books, coloring and activity books
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Korean traditional toys and toy sets with more than two functions are added to the certain other toys category
- The following products are exempted from compliance with the Safety Confirmation ANNEX VI Toys:
- Interactive software and their storage media, such as compact discs (CDs)
-
Products intended for educational and other pedagogical purposes, used in schools under the surveillance of an adult instructor, such as science equipment
- Disposable paper party hats
-
Safety requirements: labeling and instruction requirements for battery operated toys and battery operated ride-on toys are added (to bring them into line with the requirements of ASTM F963)
| Type | Requirement | Clause # in Safety Confirmation ANNEX VI | Clause # in ASTM F963 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery operated ride-on toys | Labeling requirements | 5.3.30 | 5.15.1.1 |
| Instruction requirements | 5.3.9 | 6.5.3 | |
|
Test for Battery Powered Ride-on Toys |
A.2.13 | 8.18 | |
| Battery operated toys | General requirements | A.1 | 4.25 |
| Safety requirements for power supply | A2 | 4.25.3 |
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Safety requirements: changes to chemical requirements
- Proposal to amend migration limits, by expanding the current list of 8 elements to 19 elements (to bring it into line with EN71 Part 3, as proposed by the Korean Ministry of Environment)
| Element | Requirement (mg/kg) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1: Dry, brittle, powder-like or pliable toy material | Category 2: Liquid or sticky toy material | Category 3: Scraped-off toy material | |
| Aluminum | 5 625 | 1 406 | 70 000 |
| Antimony | 45 | 11.3 | 560 |
| Arsenic | 3.8 | 0.9 | 47 |
| Barium | 1 500 | 375 | 18 750 |
| Cadmium | 1.3 | 0.3 | 17 |
| Chromium (III) | 37.5 | 9.4 | 460 |
| Chromium (VI) | 0.02 | 0.005 | 0.2 |
| Lead | 13.5 | 3.4 | 160 |
| Mercury | 7.5 | 1.9 | 94 |
| Selenium | 37.5 | 9.4 | 460 |
| Boron | 1 200 | 300 | 15 000 |
| Cobalt | 10.5 | 2.6 | 130 |
| Copper | 622.5 | 156 | 7 700 |
| Manganese | 1 200 | 300 | 15 000 |
| Nickel | 75 | 18.8 | 930 |
| Strontium | 4 500 | 1 125 | 56 000 |
| Tin | 15 000 | 3 750 | 180 000 |
| Organic Tin | 0.9 | 0.2 | 12 |
| Zinc | 3 750 | 938 | 46 000 |
- Proposal to add Tris(2-chloro-1-methylethyl)phosphate and Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate to the organic chemical (flame retardants) requirements. (As proposed by the Korean Consumer Agency)
| Compound | CAS No. | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Tris(2-chloro-1-methylethyl)phosphate (TCPP) | 13674-84-5 | Action limit |
| Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCP) | 13674-87-8 | Action limit |
-
Proposal to add microbiological safety requirements for liquid filled toys. (As proposed by the Korean Consumer Agency)
|
Applicable product type: liquids, finger paints, gel or semi liquids toys, Applicable test methods USP31, chapter 61 and 62, European Phamacopeia 2.16.2 and 2.16.3 |
|
| Parameter | Requirement (CFU/g or ml) |
| Total Aerobic Microbial Count (TAMC) | ≤ 1 000 or ≤ 100 |
| Yeast and molds | ≤ 100 |
| Staphylococcus aureus | Absent |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | Absent |
| Escherichia coli | Absent |
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 www.sgs.com/toys.
For enquiries, please contact:
Tommy OH
Business Manager, Hardlines, Consumer and Retail
t:+82 31 460 8117
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