SHENZHEN, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AsiaInspection, a leading provider of quality control services for the manufacturing industry in Asia, today announces the results of a survey of laboratory tests of toys manufactured in China and ready for shipment to Europe and the United States. The results show 25% of the survey sample contained dangerous levels of phthalates, a group of chemicals found in plastics and which has been placed under stringent regulations in Europe and North America.

Phthalates are chemical compounds used primarily to enhance the flexibility and durability of plastics such as PVC. In response to consumer health concerns, phthalates are being eliminated in toys in the European Union (under the REACH regulation) and United States (CPSIA, in particular). At high levels of exposure, the toxicological properties of phthalates present a risk of cancer and can lead to infertility.

Over the last two months, AsiaInspection randomly selected 35 China-made plastic toys destined for Europe and USA and standard phthalates content tests were conducted. Approximately 25% of these toys were found to contain dangerously high levels of phthalates, and consequently they did not conform to EU and USA chemical content regulations. Among the survey sample, a toy first aid kit was found to contain more than 130 times the allowable limit of DEHP, a regulated phthalate.

“Results like these make it clear that toy importers buying from China and Asia need to be aware of the risks and take the necessary steps to ensure the products they manufacture or source are safe and free of potentially harmful substances,” said Sébastien Breteau, CEO, AsiaInspection. “As our survey results show, laboratory testing for toxic chemicals continues to be essential to the production of safe toys - it is not acceptable that children continue to be at risk of phthalates intoxication.”

More Information

More about the AsiaInspection phthalates study can be found at: http://www.asiainspection.com/studies/phthalate-toys-laboratory-testing

More about the regulations mentioned in this announcement can be found as follows:

• European Union: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) http://ec.europa.eu/environment/chemicals/reach/reach_intro.htm
• USA: Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

About AsiaInspection

AsiaInspection is a leader in quality control services for the manufacturing industry in Asia. Founded in 1997, the company provides web-based account management, fast scheduling and highly competitive prices for companies seeking inspection, audit and testing services for manufacturing done in China and elsewhere in Asia. “Your Eyes in the Factory”, AsiaInspection has over 350 certified inspectors and customers from over 100 countries worldwide. Learn more about AsiaInspection at www.asiainspection.com