Commission prolongs phthalates ban for toys 

The European Commission has prolonged for the third time its decision to ban the sale of toys containing certain phthalates. The ban is valid until 5 december for six types of phthalates which are used in baby toys and other childcare articles.

Phthalates are chemical products which are used to add flexibility to PVC products. Several EU countries already have a ban on the use of phthalates in baby toys and the EU is discussing a draft directive which would install an EU-wide ban.

Greenpeace has set up a serious campaign over the potential danger of phthalates in soft PVC. The European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI) claims that this ban is not justified by scientific risk assessment.