Does the ban on phthalates apply to books?
A3: Ordinary books intended or designed primarily for children 12 or younger are reading materials and not toys. Therefore, the ban on specific phthalates under Section 108 of the CPSIA does not apply to such books, as the ban applies only to children’s toys and child care articles. “Ordinary books” refers to books that are intended to be read; are without inherent play value; are published on card board or paper; and are printed by conventional publishing methods. However, books that have some inherent play value or have toy-like features constitute toys and would therefore be subject to the ban on phthalates. Examples of books with play value are: Popup books, books for use in the bathtub and books that can be cut into paper dolls. An ordinary book sold with an accompanying toy might not need to be tested for phthalates, but the toy, itself, would need to meet the appropriate phthalates limits.
