Soft vinyl toys

New regulations to protect your kids

In December 2010, the Government of Canada restricted the use of six chemicals (phthalates) in the soft vinyl of children's toys and child care articles such as bath toys, baby bibs and teethers. These regulations will help ensure that children's toys and child care articles imported, sold or advertised in Canada do not present a risk of phthalate exposure to young children.

Why the restriction?

Phthalates are a family of chemicals commonly used to make soft and flexible vinyl plastic, otherwise known as polyvinyl chloride or PVC. Studies suggest that certain phthalates may cause reproductive and developmental abnormalities in young children when soft vinyl products containing phthalates are sucked or chewed for extended periods.