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Toxic Heavy Metals
Toxic Heavy Metals
Which metals?
Part 3 of the Toy Safety standard. In addition, the eco-labels also restrict Nickel.
Note that these are levels for soluble metals, not total metal content. The test is intended to show which of these metals could enter the body if a child chews a toy and flakes of the paint, coating, plastic, etc enter the stomach. The test uses hydrochloric acid to simulate stomach acid.
Where can These Metals be Found?
Textiles - in certain synthetic fibres, e.g. polyester contains trace amounts of antimony
Leather - in products that have been chrome tanned
Dyes, inks and pigments - contain compounds of the various metals to give different colours
Metals - all metal clothing, footwear and accessory components
Plastics and coated materials - can contain cadmium
Flame-retardants - can contain antimony
What Legislation?
There is no EU legislation for soluble toxic heavy metals in clothing, footwear and accessories. In the absence of such legislation, the EN 71-3 Toy Safety standard is frequently used to assess products, particularly if they are intended for children. Toxic heavy metals are also regulated by voluntary eco-testing schemes such as Oeko-tex and the EU Eco Label. They include nickel in addition to the list in EN71-3.
Czech Republic: Amendment 521/2005 Coll. of Regulation 84/2001 Coll. "Hygienic requirements on toys and products for children up to age 3 years" applies.
Slovakia: Decree 635/2005 applies.
What's the Difference Between Soluble Metal Content and Total Metal Content?
EN71-3 uses simulated stomach acid to assess how much of each of these metals could migrate into the body if a child swallowed fragments of product. This is what is meant by soluble metal content. Using a different chemical analytical technique, it is possible to calculate the total amount of a particular metal in a particular product. For example, a metal clothing component could be found to contain 300mg/kg total lead. However, in the EN 71-3 test, the amount of soluble lead might be 50mg/kg, which is well below the recommended level.
Which metals?
Part 3 of the Toy Safety standard. In addition, the eco-labels also restrict Nickel.
Note that these are levels for soluble metals, not total metal content. The test is intended to show which of these metals could enter the body if a child chews a toy and flakes of the paint, coating, plastic, etc enter the stomach. The test uses hydrochloric acid to simulate stomach acid.
Where can These Metals be Found?
Textiles - in certain synthetic fibres, e.g. polyester contains trace amounts of antimony
Leather - in products that have been chrome tanned
Dyes, inks and pigments - contain compounds of the various metals to give different colours
Metals - all metal clothing, footwear and accessory components
Plastics and coated materials - can contain cadmium
Flame-retardants - can contain antimony
What Legislation?
There is no EU legislation for soluble toxic heavy metals in clothing, footwear and accessories. In the absence of such legislation, the EN 71-3 Toy Safety standard is frequently used to assess products, particularly if they are intended for children. Toxic heavy metals are also regulated by voluntary eco-testing schemes such as Oeko-tex and the EU Eco Label. They include nickel in addition to the list in EN71-3.
Czech Republic: Amendment 521/2005 Coll. of Regulation 84/2001 Coll. "Hygienic requirements on toys and products for children up to age 3 years" applies.
Slovakia: Decree 635/2005 applies.
What's the Difference Between Soluble Metal Content and Total Metal Content?
EN71-3 uses simulated stomach acid to assess how much of each of these metals could migrate into the body if a child swallowed fragments of product. This is what is meant by soluble metal content. Using a different chemical analytical technique, it is possible to calculate the total amount of a particular metal in a particular product. For example, a metal clothing component could be found to contain 300mg/kg total lead. However, in the EN 71-3 test, the amount of soluble lead might be 50mg/kg, which is well below the recommended level.
