1920s: Phthalates are introduced.
1931: Plasticizer poly vinyl chloride (PVC) industry booms, with commercial availability of PVC and development of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP).
1999: European Union (EU) puts restrictions on sale of toys and childcare articles made of soft PVC containing di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), DEHP, diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNoP). These toys and articles are those that are intended to be placed in mouth by children under three years of age. (http://europa.eu/)
1999: Standard (IS 9873 Part 2) on safety requirements for toys, specifically concerning flammability requirements, is adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). (http://www.bis.org.in/)
1999: Standard (IS 9873 Part 3) on safety requirements for toys, concerning migration of certain elements, is adopted by BIS. (http://www.bis.org.in/)
2000: Anti-dumping investigation by Indian authorities finds no evidence of injury to domestic industry due to alleged dumping of toys from China, including mechanical and battery-operated toys.
2001: Standard (IS 9873 Part 1) on safety requirements for toys, concerning mechanical and physical properties, is adopted by BIS. (http://www.bis.org.in/)
2007: US-based toy maker Mattel, Inc. is forced to recall millions of its toys following concerns over lead paint and tiny magnets.
2007: Mumbai-based NGO files public interest litigation in Bombay High Court seeking a ban on import of Chinese toys due to toxicity.
2008: US Congress passes Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, placing restrictions on use of both groups of phthalate compounds in toys and childcare articles starting February 2009. (http://www.cpsc.gov/)
2008: BIS begins review of existing toy safety standards IS 9873 (Parts 1-3).
January 2009: India prohibits import of Chinese toys, including wheeled toys and dolls, for six months. (http://dgft.delhi.nic.in/)
March 2009: India modifies prohibition on Chinese toys, permitting imports which meet international and domestic quality standards on mechanical and physical properties, flammability and migration of heavy metals. (http://dgft.delhi.nic.in/)
July 2009: India extends prohibition to all imported toys till January 23. (http://dgft.delhi.nic.in/)
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