Bisphenol-A and phthalates banned from electronic toys

So what does this mean to the electronics industry? It could mean the end of toys for the very young that contain electronics . . . in San Francisco. While the resulting noise reduction should make the parents of those infants and toddlers quite happy (the author lives in San Francisco and wishes this happened six years ago"Sorry kids! Can't buy that here!"), producers of these electronic toys and other items may have to scramble to comply.

Bisphenol-A is frequently a component of the thermoset epoxy resin used to encapsulate semiconductors and other electronic components. While these components do not come in to contact with the user, the law nevertheless does not discriminate against where in the item the substances are used.

The ban goes into force on December 1, 2006 and also requires that manufacturers replace these chemicals, if they still intend to manufacture, sell, or distribute the products in San Francisco, with the "least toxic alternative".

The specific phthalates banned are:

• Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
• Di butyl phthalate (DBP)
• Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)

In concentrations exceeding 0.1%.

A similar bill failed to pass at the California state level last year, and Maryland's House Bill 52 (which the San Francisco law copies nearly verbatim.) appears to have gone nowhere since January. Both bills have elements of the European Union's phthalate ban promulgated on December 14, 2005 via Directive 2005/84/EC.

The short bill can be read at www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/bdsupvrs/ordinances06/o0120-06.pdf.

You can reach Design Chain Associates at info@designchainassociates.com or 1-866-DCA-7676, ext. 2.