The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) issued Notification No. 2012-32 last year, announcing revised self-regulatory safety confirmation standards for toys. Recently, the agency announced that the effective date of the updated standards has been extended from January 1, 2013 to July 1, 2013. The main changes in the new standards include:
1. Several changes have been made based on the new versions of EN71, ASTM, and ISO8124 standards:
* Standards for toys, indoor/outdoor swings, slides, and similar active toys need to be revised;
* It is proposed to add requirements for chemical experimental apparatus, chemical toys, and finger paints;
* Added regulatory requirements for LED indicators for transformer charging on electric toys;
* Formaldehyde release from adhesives used in nail salons must not exceed 50 mg/kg.
2. New requirements have been added regarding the content of phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DNOP, DINP and DIDP) in soft-filled toys and toys.
3. Revise the testing methods for hazardous chemicals (lead, cadmium, nickel, and phthalates) in toys.
The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) issued Notification No. 2012-800, which revised the self-regulatory safety confirmation standards for plastic child care products and child seats.
Appendix 14 of the self-regulatory safety confirmation standard for child care products expands the applicable age range for plastic child care products used to assist children in sleeping, relaxing, washing, or feeding from children aged 4 and under to children aged 14 and under, and adds supplementary safety requirements for pacifiers and pacifier clips.
Appendix 38 of the standard adds supplementary safety requirements for child-supported chairs and tabletop chairs. These new requirements will take effect one year after the publication of this notice, on December 21, 2013.
In addition, the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) issued Notification No. 2012-799, approving revisions to the safety requirements for BB guns and stipulating that BB guns must undergo safety certification according to the new requirements. These new requirements will take effect on December 21, 2013. The main changes are as follows:
1. The user's age must be clearly indicated on the product packaging and must be distinguishable from the surrounding text (e.g., red or shaded text on a yellow background). The font height of the indicated text must not be less than 15pt.
2. BB guns intended for use by children, teenagers, and adults must have specific warning labels on their surfaces. The font size of the warning labels must be at least 15pt, and the font color must be different from the color of the gun body.
3. Each product packaging should include a warning message requiring the wearing of safety goggles, and the font size should be more than half larger than other warning messages.
Sources: Hong Kong Trade Development Council (2013-02-05)
