What is a Phthalate and are they in my products? What regulatory restrictions for Phthalates in products should I be aware of?

Globally, there are a number of regulations that restrict the amount of specific Phthalates that are allowed to be present in different types of products.

How do I pronounce Phthalate?
Phthalate is pronounced “Fell-late”

What is a phthalate?
Phthalates are a group of man-made chemicals that are structurally related to the organic acid, phthalic acid.

What are phthalates used for?
The most common use of phthalates is in plastics, especially PVC, where they act as plasticisers. A plasticiser is a chemical additive that makes materials softer and more flexible. As an additive they will generally not appear on product or material labels. Another common use is in products that contain fragrances. Phthalates are used as solvents and fixatives to help preserve fragrances and help them to linger.
As well as being found in plastics and vinyl products, and products containing fragrances, they are also found in safety glass, lubricating oils, food packaging, adhesives, paints, inks, medical tubing, blood bags, pharmaceuticals, footwear, electrical cables, stationery, nail polish. Here is a list of some common phthalates and their applications:

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What are the risks associated with the use of phthalates?
Exposure to phthalates happens through food, skin, and air. Phthalates are not chemically bound in the materials they are added to, so they can easily leach out or evaporate.

Several phthalates, for example DEHP, DBP, DIBP and BBP may damage fertility or the unborn baby and interfere with our hormonal system (Endocrine Disrupting). In particular, they affect the sexual development of boys which can lead to infertility in adults. Pregnant women and young children have been found to be the most vulnerable groups to the effects of phthalates. DEHP, DBP and BBP, are also harmful to the environment, more specifically are very toxic to aquatic life, and often with long lasting effects.

What bans and restrictions exist around the use of phthalates? (non-exhaustive list of some key regulations):

How do I know if my products contain phthalates?
Talk to your material suppliers and ask for declarations or certification for the relevant regulations. You can also send samples of your products to a test laboratory for testing.

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