AgPU says industry should not give up its pressure on European Commission

Phthalate migration tests showing acceptably low migration may not be sufficient to avoid a permanent ban on the plasticisers in children’s toys, Dr Detlef Arnoldi of plasticizer manufacturer Oxeno warned last week.

Speaking at the annual meeting of AgPU, the association representing the interests of the PVC producers and processors on environmental issues, Arnoldi said despite the favourable results of the tests, “we have no chance to influence the situation via technical and scientific data; we can’t win on the political level”.

But AgPU president Dr Vцlker Hoffmann said the industry should not give up its pressure on Brussels. DEHP/DBP/BBP plasticisers are currently subject to a temporary ban in children’s toys; DINP has such a ban for intentional or likely oral contact and DIDP/DNOP for toys intended for oral use.

Arnoldi said DEHP had already been largely replaced in Germany. Its share of the 1 million tpa of plasticiser consumed in Western Europe has dropped from a 42% to 24% share between 1999 and 2003. DINP/DIDP’s market share increased from 35% to 58%.