In toys market, there are different packaging way, such as PP bags, foil bags, blister, paper bags, window box and display box, etc. So what kind of packaging is better? In fact, if plastic bags or plastic films does not meet the standard requirements, there are potential safety hazards, such as child suffocation.
It is understood that there are clear regulations on the thickness of toy packaging in EU Toy Directive EN71-1:2014 and China’s national toy standard GB6675.1-2014, According to The EU EN71-1, the thickness of plastic film in bags should not be less than 0.038mm. However, in the daily supervision of the inspection and quarantine department, it was found that the thickness of packaging for toy from some export enterprises has not reached 0.030mm, resulting potential safety hazards, Which were recalled by EU countries. There are three main reasons for this issiue:
First, enterprises have insufficient awareness of packaging quality requirements. It is not clear about the specificity of foreign standards on packaging materials, especially those related to the thickness, chemical limit and other requirements. Most enterprises separate toy packaging from toy safety, believing that packaging does not need to comply with toy regulations and directives.
Second, there is a lack of effective packaging quality control means. Due to the particularity of packaging materials, almost all the packaging are outsorceing, which lacking effective control over the raw materials, manufacturing and storage of packaging.
Third, the misleading from some third-party testing institutions, neglected to test the thickness and hazardous materials of packaging, which causing enterprises to mistakenly think that toy packaging don’t have to meet the requirements of toy regulations.
In fact, the safety of toy packaging has always been valued by developed countries such as Europe and the United States. It is also common to report various ricks caused by excessive hazardous substances and unqualified physical indicators in packaging. Therefore, the inspection and quarantine department reminds toy enterprises to pay more attention to the safety control of packaging. Enterprises should attach great importance to the physical and chemical safety of packaging, correctly understand the requirements of laws and regulations for different packaging. In addition, there should be a perfect packaging supply management system.
In 2022, French AGEC regulations required that the use of MOH（Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons）in packaging is prohibited.
Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons (MOH) is a class of extremely complex chemical mixtures produced by the physical separation, chemical transformation or liquefaction of petroleum crude oil. It Mainly Includes Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH) Composed Of Straight Chains, Branched Chains And Rings And Mineral Oil Arom Composed Of Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons. Atic Hydrocarbons, MOAH).
Mineral oil is widely used and is almost ubiquitous in production and life, such as lubricants, insulation oils, solvents, and various printing inks for various motors. In addition, the application of mineral oil is also common in daily chemical and agricultural production.
Based on the relevant mineral oil assessment reports issued by the European Union Food Safety Agency (EFSA) in 2012 and 2019:
MOAH (especially MOAH with 3-7 rings) has potential carcinogenicity and mutagenicity, that is, potential carcinogens, MOSH will accumulate in human tissue and have harmful effects on the liver.
At present, French regulations are aimed at all kinds of packaging materials, while other countries such as Switzerland, Germany and the European Union basically aimed food exposure to paper and ink. Judging from the development trend, it is possible to expand the control of MOH in the future, so paying close attention to regulatory developments is the most important measure for toys enterprises.
Post time: Jul-20-2022
