Putting your toys to the CHEMICAL TEST - Are you ready to meet the new EU chemical requirements for Toys?

READING, England, April 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On 20 July 2013, the chemical requirements of the EU Toy Directive (2009/48/EC) will come into effect.  The full implementation of this directive will pose a significant challenge to suppliers of toys to the European market.  Manufacturers will be required to ensure compliance of any raw materials used in toys entering the European Union from this date.

Toys must be manufactured so as to prevent exposure of children to harmful chemical elements. The directive has been updated to include the latest scientific knowledge and includes restrictions on toxic elements, certain allergenic fragrance compounds and use of CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic for reproduction) chemicals.  In particular, it expands the migratable toxic elements requirements from 8 elements to 19, including Organic Tin and Chromium VI.

UL's laboratories have actively participated in European working groups on toy safety and have been instrumental in developing the new technical standards.  As such, our laboratories are ideally placed to carry out preliminary testing according to the latest available draft of EN 71 part 3:2013 Migration of certain elements.

UL can also offer testing solutions to manufacturers of toys and children's products to help ensure their products are compliant with the most updated standards and relevant EU legislation relating to chemical safety.

Additionally, the EU Toy Safety Directive requires manufacturers to maintain a Technical File comprising documentation of design, manufacture, chemical and operational requirements.  The Technical File must be kept up to date and reflect any changes to the toy and take into account any updates to legislation or standards.  It is essential that the history of the product is retained. UL's "Technical File Management Program" is a data management solution that can help manufacturers to satisfy these obligations.

As an independent provider of third-party testing, audit, inspection and responsible sourcing services, UL consumer products group offers customised full cycle quality assurance solutions to help provide confidence in the quality and safety of toys and children's goods including:  

- Product testing

- Chemical analysis and antimicrobial effectiveness

- Product safety assessments

- Technical documentation review

- Inspections and audits

- Customised training courses and seminars

For more information about UL consumer product services and how they can benefit your company visit ul.com/toys or email ToyTeam@ul.com.

About UL

UL is a premier global independent safety science company with more than 118 years of history.  Employing more than 10,000 professionals with customers in over 100 countries, UL has five distinct business units - Product Safety, Environment, Life & Health, Knowledge Services, and Verification Services - to meet the expanding needs of our customers and to deliver on our public safety mission.  For more information on UL's family of companies and network of 95 laboratory, testing and certification facilities, go to UL.com.