South Korea has begun implementing its
revised Common Safety Standards for Children’s Products.
Notice No. 2019-201 – Notice of Revision
of Common Safety Standards for Children’s Products – was published on December
3, 2019, by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). Its provisions
contain several important changes, which are being implemented in phases.
From June 4, 2020, the following six
phthalates are restricted to less than or equal to 0.1% (sum) in synthetic
resins (polymeric/plastic materials, including coatings on textile and leather
materials):
- Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
- Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP)
- Diisononyl phthalate (DINP)
- Di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP)
This provision will be enforced regardless
of whether the object is intended to be placed in the mouth.
The following provisions will come into effect
from December 4, 2020:
1)
Strengthening
lead content requirements in substrates from no more than 300 mg/kg to no more
than 100 mg/kg. Exemptions include textiles, metal tips of writing instruments
and functional components of electronic products
2)
Cadmium
requirement becomes no more than 75 mg/kg, with an exemption for textiles
3)
New requirements
for the total content of n-nitrosamines and n-nitrosatable substances in
children’s products containing elastomeric materials:
-
Products for children under 36 months that are intended to be used in the mouth such as soothers, teats, teethers and toothbrushes: