Atranol, chloroatranol and methyl heptine carbonate – The three new chemicals banned in the European Union

Minister for Inclusion, Volunteering and Consumer Rights Julia Farrugia Portelli, announced that a few days ago, the Cabinet of Ministers, approved the new and important amendments to toy safety legislation regulating the amount and type of chemicals allowed in toys.

The amendments entered into force as laid down in the European Directives governing the safety regulations of guarantees in the Member States.

The new legislation sets limit values for aniline, which is a substance classified as carcinogenic, a chemical that can cause cancer.  As an example, aniline can be found in coloured toy materials such as textiles or leather, and aniline may also be present as an impurity in paint colours.

The new rules also require that if one of the 61 other allergenic substances are present in toys at a dose of more than 100 mg/kg, it must be stated on the label of the toy, on the packaging or on the leaflet within the package.

The Directive lists 55 allergenic substances whose use in toys is prohibited or restricted in the European Union. This amendment extends this list and introduces the prohibition of 3 other substances which are atranol, chloroatranol and methyl heptine carbonate.

In her intervention, Minister for Inclusion, Volunteering and Consumer Rights Julia Farrugia Portelli spoke about how in recent years, the MCCAA has continued with the process of evolving and broadening its scope so as not to look at consumer protection as something isolated from an educational point of view. She explained that what we are announcing today goes beyond simply introducing amendments, "today is a message of awareness to parents and the general public to be aware of the details on the toy box."

The Chairperson of the MCCAA Ing. Helga Pizzuto, urged the public to "search for the CE marking on products and to read every warning label or the packaging carefully when buying toys, in order to make informed purchasing decisions." 

Traders are reminded to check with their suppliers before buying new stock to ensure the toys comply with the new requirements. 

The public can report any cases of unsafe product to the MCCAA by visiting the authority's website mccaa.org.mt and submitting the details in the form titled "Flag a Concern”.