Chemicals that are classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction (CMR substances), chemicals that affect the endocrine system or the respiratory system and chemicals that are toxic to a specific organ are particularly harmful for children and should be specifically addressed in toys. Given the essential role of the endocrine system during human development, early exposure during critical periods, such as early childhood, to endocrine disruptors can lead to adverse effects even at very low doses and affect health at a later stage of life. Respiratory sensitisers can lead to an increase in childhood asthma and neurotoxic substances are particularly harmful to the developing brain of children, which is inherently more vulnerable to toxic injury than the adult brain. Children should also be adequately protected from allergenic substances and certain metals. This Regulation should include updated and strengthened requirements for chemical substances replacing those set out in Directive 2009/48/EC. Toys are to comply with general chemicals legislation, in particular Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council. In order to provide further protection to children, who are a vulnerable group of consumers, and other persons, that legal framework should be supplemented by generic prohibitions on certain hazardous chemicals in toys, as classified in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Those generic prohibitions should apply to CMR substances, endocrine disruptors, respiratory sensitisers, substances targeting a specific organ and skin sensitisers, as soon as those substances are classified as hazardous in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008.
Text as published in the Official Journal, reproduced verbatim (including any typographical quirks of the source). For the authentic version, see EUR-Lex.
