REACH, a regulation that applies to all articles
The manufacture, importation and distribution of toys and childcare articles is regulated by various sector-specific regulations. In France, these include the toy decree, the childcare decree, CE marking and the regulation on materials in contact with foodstuffs. However, some articles are not covered by these regulations, such as teething rings and changing mats which are not included in the childcare decree. In contrast, the European REACH regulation applies to all articles (an article is an object with a special shape, surface or design which determines its function to a greater degree than does its chemical composition). Annex XVII of the REACH regulation prohibits (or limits) a certain number of substances in toys and childcare articles. It also requires the suppliers of these articles to inform any consumers who request this information about the presence of substances of high concern at over 0.1% (SVHC identified by the member states and the European Chemicals Agency, ECHA).
