National experts back PVC ban

Date: 02/12/1999

By Renée Cordes

THE European Commission will adopt proposals for an emergency ban on sales of some oral baby toys softened with chemicals believed to be toxic next week, according to officials.

A Commission spokesman said the EU executive would formally approve the plan within days after national experts decided unanimously this week that the measure was justified.

A panel made up of representatives from member states postponed a vote on the issue last week after some members of the EU's main scientific committee questioned the need for such restrictions.

Consumer Protection Commissioner David Byrne called for the emergency ban on some oral baby toys made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) softened with phthalates amid concerns that they could cause liver, kidney and testicle damage.

The planned embargo would cover future sales of items such as teething rings specifically intended to be put into the mouths of children up to age three, and is to be followed by a permanent ban on six kinds of phthalates and a requirement for warning labels on toys not specifically intended for oral use.

Greenpeace welcomed the move but said it would continue to press for the withdrawal of all soft PVC toys from sale, but the Toy Industries of Europe lobby group criticised the committee's decision. "We are still very frustrated about this situation," said the TIE's Maurits Bruggink, adding that the industry would continue to support efforts to find a universally acceptable method for testing substances.