France Extends the Ban on Formamide in Puzzle Mats until August 2014

On 4 August 2013, France has published an Arrêté that extends for one additional year the ban already in force since August 2012.

Importation and placing on the French market of toys foam “puzzle mats” containing more than 200 mg/kg of formamide are prohibited.

Formamide is classified as toxic to reproduction and is included in the ECHA candidate list as a “substance of very high concern” (SVHC) under regulation 1907/2006 (REACH).

This national restriction constitutes a deviation from new chemical requirements of Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC applicable since 20 July 2013.

The European Commission is currently studying the inclusion of formamide into Appendix C of Directive 2009/48/EC. The draft requirement is not yet available.

As reminder, Appendix C is specifically applicable to toys intended for children under 36 months and to toys intended to be placed in the mouth. In comparison to general CMR requirements, the purpose of Appendix C is to strengthen chemical requirements for certain types of toys.

The following substances are expected to be included in Appendix C:
TCEP/TCPP/TDCP
Kathon
Formamide
Bisphenol A

http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jopdf/common/jo_pdf.jsp?numJO=0&dateJO=20130804&numTexte=9&pageDebut=13307&pageFin=13308