THE SAFETY AND BENEFITS OF PVC TOYS
PVC - Used by toymakers for more than 40 years
 Toy makers around the world have been using PVC for more than 40 years to make some of the best known and most popular toys and children's products. Why? Because PVC makes good, safe toys that are durable, easy to clean and are fun for children of all ages!
In addition to its safety record, toymakers also use PVC because of its versatility; it can be easily formulated to be flexible or rigid, or to be virtually any colour of the rainbow. PVC's durability helps toys to withstand even the most rugged play, and parents can appreciate the fact that it can be easily cleaned, helping to keep children safe from germs.
Plasticisers and their use in PVC toys
To make PVC soft and flexible it is necessary to use substances known as plasticisers to make the material pliable.
The most commonly used plasticisers to make PVC soft and flexible are phthalates (pronounced thal-ates). They are a family of chemical substances that have been in use for more than half a century.
Phthalates are used in literally thousands of everyday items, many of which we have come to take for granted as we strive to improve our lifestyles and make everything around us better, safer and more efficient. Indeed, it is thanks to phthalates that we are able to enjoy the benefits of many different types of electrical cables, household items like shower curtains and garden hoses, protective clothing, flooring and even life-saving medical devices.
 In all the time that we have benefited from their use there has not been a single known case of anyone ever having been harmed as a result of the use of phthalates. And yet they continue to be a centre of concern about possible effects on our health and the environment, particularly when used in toys.
The use of phthalates in toys and childcare items has been restricted in the European Union since December 1999. From January 17 2007 further restrictions on their use in toys will come into force on a permanent basis.
The PVC Toys Information Centre aims to help you understand more about plasticisers, to provide information on European legislation and to explain why you should treat concerns about health and environmental effects with caution. With these facts we hope you will be able to arrive at your own informed opinion.
This web site is an initiative of the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI).
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