Babies and younger children are particularly vulnerable to health impacts associated with toxic chemicals that may be present in products designed for them. That includes products like toys, games, crafts and others. Weak ingredient and chemical safety laws at the federal level have led a number of states to pass laws focused on reducing the use of chemicals of concern in children’s products. Despite solid scientific evidence linking some classes of chemicals to health impacts in kids and laws requiring disclosure of their use by manufacturers of kids products, laboratory testing continues to show they are being used.

Many companies claim that the products they make and sell for children “follow all applicable requirements and regulations” related to ingredient safety. Others refer to product safety & quality programs that do not appear to include any meaningful provisions related to chemicals management or material toxicity. For example, when researching the company Spin Master, a company that owns numerous popular toy and craft brands we noted reference a product safety & quality program. However, the company offers no specific information about the role, if any, ingredient safety plays in it. Additionally, a review of state-level chemical disclosure databases show that the company currently or recently used numerous chemicals of concern in products designed for children across multiple brands.

Unfortunately the regulatory environment related to chemicals in products in the U.S. offers only limited protection for our families. As a result, companies need to demonstrate that their approach to ingredient safety and chemicals management goes beyond regulatory requirements. That should include a clear statement of policy related to ingredient safety, details about the process by which they choose and use chemicals and materials in their products, as well as information about how they ensure their standards are being followed across their supply chain. See our blog for specific information about building a credible restricted substances list (RSL).