The regulation Reach sector toy and related

The seminar was held at the headquarters of the technological Institute of the toy (Aiju) on June 10, 'Regulation Reach sector toy and related', whose main objective was to publicize the obligations as the toy and related industry must assume in the marketing of their products according to the Reach Regulation. The workshop also served to presentation of the Guide concerning the specific Reach for the toy industry.

The seminar, inaugurated by the director of Aiju, Santiago Gisbert, counted with the collaboration of Félix Sánchez, of the Directorate General of industry of the Ministry of industry, tourism and trade, which brought the vision of the legal framework for the regulation and the main impact this has had on the industrial sectors. Carlos Sánchez and Laura Zamora, technical reference Reach Center, explained how to carry out the implementation of the Reach Regulation with success by the industry, and Jesus Castellano, technical information Reach Innova Centre, presented the consultation and information services that this Center offers to the companies in the Valencian Community.

It also commented on the relationship between the Reach Regulation and the new regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures of the hand of Jorge Estevez, of the unit of Toxicology and chemical safety of the Institute of bioengineering of the University Miguel Hernández. In addition, Ana Belén Muñoz, on behalf of the technological Institute of footwear (Inescop), offered as comparative of the condition of the rules of procedure in the toy industry, the impact that has had such legislation in the footwear sector.

For its part, Luisa Marín, technical of Aiju, introduced the Guide to the Reach Regulation in the toy industry. This guide offers an overview of the new regulation, paying special attention to the role played by the toy company and the auxiliary industry as suppliers of masterbach, transformers of plastic, metallic materials, finishes, decorated and packaging, indicating what obligations has the toy industry and each subsector based on their activity.

It has also included an analysis of the most common substances in each of the processes of the toy industry from raw to additives. As a result, it has been established if substances used will be a problem from the standpoint of the rules of procedure, as well as the legislation that affects the toy. In general, the most common additives are not among the already scheduled substances as 'special concern'. We must remember that certain phthalates (three of them included in this list of substances) already had been banned in toys, which is why the impact of the restrictions on such substances is less.

Finally, incorporated a number of recommendations for action or adjustment to the regulation and guidance documents have been made to facilitate the management of their raw materials and the exchange of information, both with its suppliers and its customers.

The event was "widely accepted" and almost a hundred of the juguetero sector and allied professionals was attended by. This seminar is part of the training activities Aiju organized in order to provide advice and information to toy manufacturers and collaborating in the adaptation of the increasingly demanding European laws.

The toy industry does not manufacture chemicals so the main intrinsic processes of the Regulation (mainly, the registry) are not particularly relevant. So this is the case, the flow of information between suppliers of raw material and the manufacturers of toys should be continued to ensure compliance with the rules of procedure. A proper management of substances within the user enterprise is recommended so that the exchange of information is efficient.

On the other hand, must be stressed that the regulation covers several directives relating to chemicals that have been traditionally affected toys: cadmium, phthalates and colorants azo among many others. Strong legislation that supports the toy, now framed in the first toy safety directive is that toxic substances are quickly known and rejected by the manufacturers. For this reason, the substances that they have now been classified as of special concern (SVHC substances) do not pose a problem in the sector. For example, among these substances there are certain phthalates that had already been prohibited by the directive on substances and preparations dangerous, or as it is the case of benzene, toluene and other solvents that could come off by inhalation. The importer of toys has the same obligations and apply them the same recommendations that manufacturers regarding the presence of disturbing substances in imported toys, i.e. avoid them in all products.

This guide on the toy industry is the second part of the road map 'The Reach Regulation in the industrial fabric of the Valencian Community' prepared by the Valencian Community technological institutes and promoted by the Ministry of Commerce and innovation of the Generalitat Valenciana. Both documents are part of the activities of the Office of Innova Reach and are available on the website of the same (www.reachinnova.es).