Children's Toys

In March 2011 an EU rapid alert to non-compliant packaging placed on the market was triggered by Customs in Finland. A regulation (EC) 765/2008 Article 22-notification concerning serious risk to the environment was spread throughout Europe to the various concerned agencies, such as the National Consumer Agency (NCA) in Ireland.

The product involved - Barbie-branded Children's Toys - poses a serious risk because the quantity of cadmium in a package (440mg/kg) exceeds the allowed limit (100mg/kg) according to REACH provisions.

The Product contained the following 7 pink items in a clear plastic package with pink figures and text:

  1. a pencil-box.
  2. a gluestick.
  3. a ruler.
  4. 2 x pencils with Barbie pictures.
  5. a pencil sharpener.
  6. a scissors.

The grip of the package is clear plastic material with pink and silver decoration.

The offending item was sourced in China and ideally importers should include compliance with the Essential Requirements in their contract documents for all packaging.

  

 
 
 
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