Safety & Test Information
"At the moment there is concern in certain areas concerning Formamide used in EVA products. The details below show how this confusion has been caused.
'DMF' product ban by Belgium causes confusion
Recently the European Union (2009/251/EC) is now restricting the import of products that contain "DMF" = dimethylfumarate; which is causing confusion amongst importers & retailers of some consumer goods.
Dimethylfumarate is mainly presented as a biocide, used to prevent mould growth on furniture products during transit or storage. It is most frequently supplied in the form of a small paper sachet through which the chemical will be released. Dimethylfumarate is recognized as a potential skin irritant and has been implicated in cases of contact dermatitis from furniture products in several EU countries.
SATRA Technology & Testing Centre is finding that problems & confusion for consumers are arising because a very different chemical called dimethylformamide also abbreviated to DMF which is a solvent associated during the manufacture of some polyurethanes which is harmful by inhalation.
Dimethylformamide is not banned, some restrictions do exist during raw material manufacture. And it is most unlikely that any residues of dimethylformamide would be present in the final finished products after transit and storage.
As there is no definitive test for these we have nevertheless have looked thoroughly into the situation. For our products we have been assured that there is no possibility of leakage, escape or release of the chemical used until temperatures of 180c are reached. Even then the amount released would have to be inhaled for over a few hundreds of hours before any possible problem could be entertained. Most importantly many other products in the market such as paint, clothing all contains Formamide, this is not a problem in EVA because it is not released until it is burnt, at 180 degree.
Activity Mat Indicative Testing Report For JFS 2000 Ltd July 12th 2006
ISO 9001 Registered Firm International Accreditation Board.
Certificate No.GB2000946 Registration No. 0044/1
RoSPA inspections provide an independent safety assessment of the playground and nursery equipment. They are conducted by Playground Management Limited, to check conformity with the requirements of BS EN1177, the standard for Playground Equipment.
Surface Testing for JFS 2000
BS EN 1176 requires that the surfacing should not have an HIC reading in excess of 1000.
The mats were tested by dropping a Headform that meets the specification of BS EN 1176 onto the mats to determine the HIC reading at various heights. From this, the maximum height of drop to provide a HIC reading of 1000 was calculated.
10mm Gauge 30.5cm x 30.5cm (12inch x 12inch) Interlocking Floor Tile
The maximum fall height acceptable for this mat is 50cm. However EN1177 only requires that for falls below 600mm there should be some impact attenuation. This surface should therefore technically be suitable for fall heights of up to 6ocm
1.2cm Gauge 60cm x 60cm Large Activity Mat -The maximum fall height acceptable for this mat is 67.cm
2cm Gauge 1m x 1m Interlocking Sports Mat - Red / Blue or Green / Black Reversible Mats Maximum fall height acceptable is 1.050m
4cm Guage 1m x 1m Interlocking Sports Mat - Red / Blue or Green / Black Reversible Mats.
This mat received no significant damage at any height tested. The maximum fall height acceptable for this mat is 3m
(NB it is suggested that this is not used for falls from above 2.5m)
All these tests were carried out on a non impact surface to emulate concrete at our request, as this is a worse case scenario. Should the mats and tiles be used on a softer surface such as carpet, grass, gym floor or wood chipping, the fall height would be greater. Without specific tests in situ or on the specific surface, it is not possible to comment on how much better the fall height could be.
When looking at competitors material please check on what surface the tests were carried out
Summery of CE Test Results for Fun Tiles (full copies held in head office)
Due to sourcing of different products from various geographically different areas testing has had to be carried out by number of different companies as shown below. All tests are to the same high standard as laid down by the European Standard 'Safety of Toys' EN 71 Part1 1998 and ammendments-A1:2001, A2:2002, A4:2004, A5:2000, A6:202, A7,:2002, A82003, A9:2004, A10:2004, A11:2004. In addition the European Standard 'Safety of Toys' EN71 Part 2 2003 specifies flammability requirements.
The Companies involved:
Bureau Veritas, SGS, Testing Company Taiwan Ltd
GTI Toy Inspection center of China Testing Company
EMC Projects Ltd, QATC Testing Center Ltd.
Tests Requested to comply with European Standard on Safety Toys, Furniture, Mats and Tiles to EN71 Part 1 Mechanical and Physical Properties. Part 2 Flammability and Part 3 Migration of Certain Elements. Age Grading 0 - 8 years.
Test Methods as Specified in relevant EN71 parts 1, 2, 3.
Conclusion = Submitted samples comply with relevant EN71 Parts 1, 2, 3.
All items should be marked with the trade mark or name and address of the importer or authorised European Agent.
Test Results: Physical Properties Edges & Warnings on packaging and Instructions where relevant.
Material Edges - Pass
Assembly Edges - Pass
Edges and Warning on packing material - Pass
Points and Wires - Pass
Toys which children can enter - Pass
Rocking Horse and similar Toys - Pass
Test Results EN71 Part 2 Flammability of Toys and Tiles
General Requirements - Pass
4.1 Shall not burn as containing Cellulose Nitrate and Material with same behavior in fire - Pass
Pile Surface Flash - Pass
Dangerous flammable gases, liquids and solids.
Test Results EN71 Part 3 Migration of certain elements
Lead, Antimony, Arsenic, Barium Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury, Selenium. Pass
Test on wet paints - Pass
Musical Items Electrical Toy Safety Standard EN50088 1996&1996
Electromagnetic Compatibility Radiated - Pass
Battery Cover Security - Pass
Heating and Abnormal operation - Pass
Mechanical Strength - Pass
Construction - Pass
Instructions - Pass
|
|
|
