Dangerous toys for small children, i.e. those made of PVC containing phthalates, could be withdrawn from the Italian market in three months´ time. The Minister of Trade and Industry, acting in agreement with the Minister of Public Health, has launched the procedure to inform EU member states of the Italian government´s decision to ban all toys containing dangerous substances from the market. The decree will come into effect if neither the European Commission or any member state opposes it within three months.

The Italian PVC industry replied by stressing that this charge was brought not against PVC but against one additive, the phthalates, which the industry is constantly endeavouring to substitute. In the meantime, several toy producers have removed phthalates from their product specifications.