Phthalates are a widely used plasticizer that modifies or softens plastics and are commonly found in plastics and paints. Several phthalates are considered harmful substances and their use is restricted. Depu Hua Testing provides you with ortho benzene testing services.
Application of Phthalates
Plastic, an artificial substance closely related to our daily lives, has good ductility and stable physical and chemical properties due to the addition of phthalate plasticizers. Therefore, it is widely used in building materials, furniture and equipment, transportation materials, clothing, food packaging materials, and pharmaceutical products. Phthalic acid is also widely used in nail polish and other cosmetics, dyes, PVC floors, artificial leather and some adhesives. It is widely added to the production of polymer plastic products in daily life and industry, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), foam, and can also be added to adhesives, coatings, and inks. In addition, it is used for carpet lining, insect repellent, hair spray, nail polish, etc. There are six types of phthalates commonly added to plastics:
1. Diisononyl phthalate (DINP);
2. Di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP);
3. Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP);
4. Bis - (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
5. Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
6. Phenylbutyl phthalate (BBP)
The hazards of phthalates
According to research, phthalates are not only released into the environment during production, use, or addition to polyvinyl chloride (PVC), but can also enter the human body through food, air inhalation, and other pathways, disrupting endocrine function, inhibiting reproductive function, causing malignant tumors, and easily causing malformed infants.
Phthalate ester restriction order
1. EU Directive 2005/84/EC
Six types of phthalates were listed: di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate DEHP, dibutyl phthalate DBP, butyl benzyl phthalate BBP, diisononyl phthalate DINP, diisopropylhexyl phthalate DIDP, and dioctyl phthalate DnOP for restriction:
The three types of phthalates (DEHP, DBP, and BBP) contained in the plastic of toys or child care products must not exceed a concentration of 0.1%, otherwise they cannot be sold in the EU market;
Toys and child care products that can be imported for children must not contain more than 0.1% of Class 3 phthalates (DINP, DIDP, and DnOP) in their plastic, otherwise they cannot be sold in the EU market;
Each individual shall not exceed 0.1%.
Reach testing regulations
On October 28, 2008, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) officially released a list of substances of high concern (SVHC), including di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). According to REACH regulations, suppliers of goods with SVHC content exceeding 0.1% are required to provide customers and consumers with information on the safe use of the goods. Starting from December 1, 2011, manufacturers and importers of such products are responsible for notifying the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
American Phthalate Restriction Standard
On February 6, 2009, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a guidance document requiring that from February 10, 2009, the content of six types of phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, DnOP) in children's toys or child care products should not exceed 0.1%. Products with excessive content, regardless of when they are manufactured, should not be imported, distributed, or sold. The 2008 Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act H.R. 4040 (CPSIA) also prohibits the export of children's products with excessive levels of phthalates.
Argentina (execution date September 9, 2008)
All toys or child care products: DEHP+DBP+BBP ≤ 0.1%
All toys or child care products that can be placed in the mouth: DEHP+DBP+BBP+DINP+DIDP+DNOP ≤ 0.1%
Brazil (execution date March 2008)
All toys made of vinyl materials: single class phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP) ≤ 0.1%
Toys made of vinyl materials suitable for children under 3 years old: Single class phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, DNOP) ≤ 0.1%
Denmark: Execution date: July 11, 2006
In accordance with the provisions of 2005/84/EC
All play or child care products suitable for children aged 3 years or younger and can be placed in the mouth: total amount of all other phthalates ≤ 0.05%
Japan: Execution date: August 2003
All synthetic resin toys: Do not use DEHP
All synthetic resin toys that come into direct contact with children's mouths and are suitable for children aged 6 years or younger: Do not use DEHP, DINP
Depu Hua detection ortho benzene detection service
Due to its unique plasticizing properties, phthalates are highly likely to be present in PVC plastics, inks, coatings, wires, chemical raw materials, toys, textiles, leather, and other materials. Especially DEHP and DINP, which account for about 90% of plasticizers, are likely to exceed the standard limit of phthalates.
Depu Hua Testing will carefully test customer samples to help determine the content of phthalates in products. Please feel free to contact us.
