Plastic – Fantastic!

Where would the promotional merchandise sector be without plastic? It's versatile, colourful, durable, comes all sizes and shapes, can be used for fun items or for serious purposes. It can be rigid, flexible and even recyclable, as in the case of polypropylene.

Eminently printable (a must for promotional merchandise), the use of different types of ink, including reflective and fluorescent, can create all sorts of looks.

In fact, plastic can be all things to all people, a bit like the industry itself!

However, there are also rules and regulations relating to plastic and Margot Parker, Head of Communications and Legislation for EPPA (European Promotional Products Association), has sent us the latest news on the new EU Phthalates Directive which came into force as of October 2006.

It will ban the use of the phthalates DEHP, DBP and BBP in PVC and other plasticised materials in all toys and childcare articles. Similarly, DINP, DIDP and DNOP will be banned in those toys and childcare articles which can be placed in the mouth by children.

Childcare articles are defined by the Directive as any products intended to facilitate sleep, relaxation, hygiene, the feeding of children or sucking on the part of children (e.g. dummies /pacifiers and feeding mugs).

The EU Commission is developing a guidance document to clarify which toys and childcare articles 'can be placed in the mouth' but clearly mouth toys for all ages will now be covered, along with many toys intended for children under 36 months, who are most likely to place objects in their mouths.

This Directive will be re-evaluated after four years to take into account new scientific information.

Margot goes on to emphasis, "It is extremely important that those importing from other than EU factories make sure that their products do not contain any of the above banned substances."

The DTI has links to the Toy Association and other organisations but the message is 'make sure your manufacturers comply with this Directive' which has been in the pipeline for some years.

So, as well as being versatile, colourful, memorable etc., etc., make sure your plastic promotional products are safe.

Share this page