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CPSIA Phthalates Testing

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), signed into law in 2008, was enacted to facilitate an increase in the safety of consumer products and resulted in the most significant changes to the operation of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), since the early 1970s. One of the major clauses (Section 108) requires mandatory testing for phthalates in plasticized components of children’s toys and child care articles. Additionally, the 16 CFR Part 1307 Final Rule, effective April 25, 2018, established updated requirements for phthalates.

Phthalates are chemical compounds which are widely used as plasticizers, which are added to plastics and coatings, typically to make them more flexible and durable. Unfortunately, many of these compounds have been found to pose negative health effects, particularly endocrine disrupting properties. Ongoing studies are also investigating links between phthalate exposure and other health problems.

The following Phthalate compounds are now regulated under the CPSIA requirements:

• (DEHP) di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate
• (DBP) dibutyl phthalate
• (BBP) benzyl butyl phthalate
• (DINP) diisononyl phthalate
• (DIBP) diisobutyl phthalate
• (DPENP) di-n-pentyl phthalate
• (DHEXP or DnHP) di-n-hexyl phthalate
• (DCHP) dicyclohexyl phthalate

Each unique material must not contain more than 0.1% of each of the above listed phthalate compounds.

TTL Laboratories is a CPSC-accepted, ISO 17025 accredited lab with extensive experience in analyzing consumer products. We can perform phthalate certification testing, to assure your products comply with the requirements of CPSIA, which is essential to bring your products to the market.

CPSIA requirements for total Phthalates content:
• 0.1% (by weight) limit for each phthalate compound, per plasticized component

CPSC-approved test method TTL Laboratories uses to analyze for CPSIA Phthalates content:
• Standard Operating Procedure for Determination of Phthalates – CPSC-CH-C1001-09.4