The aim of the market surveillance was to determine whether toys on the market of Bosnia and Herzegovina comply with the requirements specified in The Decision on the restriction of placing toys and childcare articles containing phthalates on the market (“Official Gazette of BiH” No. 04/10).

In accordance with the Decision:

1)      dibutyl phthalate (DBP), bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) shall not be used as substances or as constituents of preparations, at concentrations of greater than 0,1 % by mass of the plasticised material, in toys and childcare articles,

2)      di-“isononyl” phthalate (DINP), di-“isodecyl” phthalate (DIDP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP) shall not be used as substances or as constituents of preparations, at concentrations of greater than 0,1 % by mass of the plasticised material, in toys and childcare articles which can be placed in the mouth by children.

During the implementation of market surveillance, 16 samples of children's toys were taken from the market of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The chemical analysis of the samples determined that 3 samples contained the prohibited phthalates in a concentration greater than 0.1% by mass of plasticised material (19%), which does not comply with the Decision on the restriction of placing toys and childcare articles containing phthalates on the market.  

Based on the results of the laboratory analysis, competent inspection authorities ordered the measures of withdrawal from the market and destruction of 802 unsafe toys. Market surveillance of toys will continue to be carried out continuously.