Toys ‘R’ Us to replace PVC in child products

The list of retailers cutting back on PVC usage just got longer.

On Feb. 15, Wayne, N.J.-based toy retailer Toys ‘R’ Us Inc. announced that it has begun replacing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and phthalate plasticizers in child products made exclusively for the company.

“All manufacturers have been notified that by the end of 2008 juvenile products sold in any Toys ‘R’ Us or Babies ‘R’ Us store in the United States must be produced without the addition of phthalates that have raised concerns about infant safety,” said Gerald L. Storch, the company’s chairman and CEO, in a statement.

Toys ‘R’ Us joins Sears Holding Corp., Target Corp. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in public pronouncements aimed at reducing the amount of PVC in their merchandise. Wal-Mart further elaborated its phthalates policy recently when it announced it would force suppliers to reduce the amount of phthalate in its products to 0.1 per cent.

In addition to its steps regarding PVC and phthalate plasticizers, Toys ‘R’ Us is planning to cut back lead levels in coatings and products, add date coding to all products, and increase the frequency of third-party testing and eliminating nickel-cadmium batteries from products.