Inflatable toys

	New Time produces an inflatable yacht made of phthalate-free PVC. It meets CE, ASTM and EN 71 requirements.

With the US and the EU limiting use of this plasticizer, makers utilize EVA and PE, and 3P and 6P-free PVC as substitutes.

Safety concerns are prompting China’s makers of inflatable toys to switch to plastic variants that contain less or no phthalates. The trend has become particularly prevalent among suppliers exporting to the US and the EU, two of the line’s largest markets.

Under pressure from consumers worried about the possible adverse effects of phthalates on health, the US and the EU have enacted legislation banning certain types used as PVC plasticizers. Studies have linked the substances to disruptions in the endocrine system, birth defects, reproductive problems and abnormal brain development.

In the US, the manufacture, import, distribution and sale of children’s toys and child care articles containing more than 0.1 percent of the phthalates BBP, DBP and DEHP are prohibited under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which was signed into law in August 2008. The ban applies to products manufactured on or after Feb. 10, 2009, for children 12 years old and younger.

The CPSIA also prohibits, on an interim basis, the use of DINP, DIDP and DnOP in concentrations of more than 0.1 percent in toys and child care articles that can be placed in the mouth. This provisional ban will remain in place pending further study and review of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel.

In the EU, the use of the six phthalates has been restricted in toys that can be placed in the mouth since 1999 under Directive 1999/815/EC. Six years later, Directive 2005/84/EC extended the ban to all toys for children below 3 years old. The rule, which came into effect January 2007, also expanded the coverage to include child care articles, as these can typically fit into the mouth of small children.

Other markets with restrictions on phthalates in toys include Argentina, Japan, Mexico and Tunisia.

	These models from Yiwu Little Angel are made of phthalate-free PVC.

In response to market concerns about phthalates, companies that use PVC as their primary material are offering models in 3P and 6P-free variants. The former does not contain BBP, DBP and DEHP but does have DINP, DIDP or DnOP. The latter is free from all six phthalates, as it employs acetyl tributyl citrate or ATBC in place of the banned substances.

In the midrange and high end, several are also using PE and EVA, which do not require plasticizers.

EVA, PE and 6P-free PVC are generally more expensive than regular PVC. In coming months, however, the use of these materials is expected to become more widespread among China suppliers as the cost of petroleum drops.

Besides using plastic that contains less or no phthalates, suppliers carry out several procedures to ensure that inflatable toys comply with safety standards and other client specifications.

In-line QC inspection generally focuses on toy appearance and printing. After production, most makers check for air leakage by inflating samples of each batch and leaving these to sit for 24 hours.

Models are sent to independent laboratories such as Intertek and SGS for further testing and certification of their compliance with EN 71 and other standards. Depending on the procedures done, fees can reach more than $400 per item. The cost is typically charged to the client except for large orders.

Inflatable toys from China consist mainly of balls, planes, boats, animals and flotation devices. Most have silk-screened prints in two or more colors, but designs with CMYK patterns are also available.

Prices start at $0.10 and increase depending primarily on the materials and complexity of the design. In general, however, phthalate-free inflatable toys are more expensive than those in regular or 3P-free PVC. Products in 6P-free PVC, for example, can be priced up to 30 percent higher, while quotes of EVA designs may reach twice those of PVC versions.

Inflatable toys sized 30 to 40cm are usually made of 0.13 to 0.15mm-thick PVC. Models below $0.20, in particular, come in regular or 3P-free variants that are less than 0.15mm-thick. Most are in conventional animal or geometric shapes with two- or three-color silk-screened artwork.

At $0.20 to $0.50, the selection includes regular and novelty designs with add-ons such as handles and backrests. Models are often in 6P-free PVC or PE that is 0.15 to 0.2mm-thick, and they have silk-screened patterns of at least three colors or CMYK prints.

Higher-priced novelty designs come in 6P-free PVC or PE from Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. EVA products are also an option in this segment.

Inflatable toys larger than 40cm such as ride-on pool floats and rings are offered in similar types of plastic. The material is thicker, however, usually measuring at least 0.15mm for models priced at $2 and above.

Play structures such as bouncers and pool slides are widely available starting at $20. Designed for heavier loads, models often come in PVC-coated polyester or nylon ranging from 1000 to 1100d. The thickness of the fabric is between 0.9 and 1.5mm.

Prices are expected to remain relatively stable in coming months. Although plastic costs are lower, suppliers do not expect product quotes to drop significantly since inflatable toys and play structures are low-margin categories.

Yiwu city in Zhejiang province is one of the primary sources of inflatable toys in China. The area is home to more than 150 makers, each with a monthly capacity of at least 30,000 pieces.

Models from Yiwu are generally priced 10 to 15 percent lower than versions from other hubs. This advantage stems primarily from the extensive supply network that makers have convenient access to, which includes several plastic producers.