Why the chemical composition of a baby product is not a minor detail
When choosing a play mat, baby bath, or potty-training seat for your child, you usually think first about design, practicality, and price. The question of chemical composition rarely comes to mind - and yet it should be one of the first criteria to check.
Infants and toddlers have an important physiological characteristic: their skin is more permeable than adults' skin, their metabolism is immature, and they systematically put objects in their mouths. As a result, their exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals is proportionally much higher than that of an adult in contact with the same materials.
This guide aims to give you the tools to understand what formamide, BPA, and phthalates actually are, why they are problematic, and how to make sure that a baby product is genuinely free of them.
Formamide: the substance to watch out for in foam mats
What is formamide?
Formamide is an organic solvent used in the manufacture of EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) foams, the most common material used for play mats and baby floor tiles. It acts as a blowing agent during the manufacturing process: it helps the foam reach its characteristic volume.
The problem is that formamide does not disappear completely after manufacturing. It can remain trapped in the foam and be slowly released into the surrounding air - a process known as off-gassing - or migrate to the surface when the baby presses on or chews it.
Why is it dangerous?
Formamide is classified as a Category 1B reproductive toxicant by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This means that there is strong evidence of its harmful effects on human reproduction. In 2011, Belgium was one of the first countries to ban foam mats containing formamide above a certain threshold. France followed similar recommendations through ANSES.
For a baby who spends several hours a day lying or sitting on a foam mat, chronic inhalation of low doses remains a real concern, even though the long-term effects are still being researched.
How can you check that a product is safe?
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certification prohibits formamide in textile products, but EVA foams are not always covered by this standard. Look for products whose technical specifications explicitly state that they are free of formamide, or for a specific certification such as the GS mark (Geprüfte Sicherheit, a rigorous German safety standard), which includes chemical-emission testing.
The Treelys play mat is designed without formamide, using XPE foam rather than EVA - a material choice that, beyond formamide, offers other advantages detailed in our guide to materials used in baby foam mats.
BPA: found far beyond baby bottles
What is it?
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound used to manufacture certain polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It was long ubiquitous in baby bottles, teats, hard plastic toys, as well as the inner coatings of some plastic baby baths and bath products.
Its effects on health
BPA is a recognized endocrine disruptor. It mimics the action of oestrogen in the body and can interfere with the hormonal system, particularly in young children whose endocrine systems are still developing. The European Union banned BPA in baby bottles in 2011, then extended the ban to other utensils intended for children.
Despite these gradual bans, BPA is sometimes replaced by chemical analogues (BPS, BPF) whose toxicity is still poorly assessed and which are not always subject to equally strict controls. That is why simply stating 'BPA-free' is not always enough: you should check whether the product is certified according to broader standards.
How can you protect against it?
Choose products whose composition is clearly documented, certified under REACH (the European regulation on chemicals) and, ideally, tested by independent laboratories. EN 71, the standard governing toy safety in Europe, includes relevant chemical-migration tests for plastic baby accessories.
Phthalates: plasticizers with a subtle impact
Their role in baby products
Phthalates are a family of molecules used to soften PVC (polyvinyl chloride). They are found in many flexible products: padded edges of baby baths, PVC potty-training seat cushions, mat coverings, and bath toys. They give the material its flexibility and soft feel.
Why are they a problem?
Some phthalates - particularly DEHP, DBP, and BBP - are classified as endocrine disruptors and reproductive toxicants. The European REACH regulation bans several of them in toys and childcare articles intended for children under 3 years of age at concentrations above 0.1% by mass.
The main risk for infants is chewing: a baby who bites the edge of a mat or a bath accessory can ingest phthalates through oral migration. Heat intensifies this phenomenon, particularly during bathing.
Good practices to adopt
Check that products bear the CE mark accompanied by a genuine declaration of conformity (rather than merely displaying a sticker). REACH is binding for all products sold in Europe, but its enforcement depends on the checks carried out on each batch. Reputable brands provide third-party test reports (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek) upon request.
If you are looking for a baby potty with a comfort cushion, make sure that the foam or flexible plastic cushion is explicitly certified as phthalate-free and BPA-free - not merely marked 'BPA-free' in small print.
Reading a product technical sheet: key points to watch
The CE declaration of conformity
The CE marking means that the manufacturer declares that its product complies with the applicable European directives. It is not a certification issued by an independent organization: it is a self-declaration. It is necessary but not sufficient. Always ask whether third-party laboratory tests have been carried out.
The REACH certificate
REACH is the European regulation governing the manufacture and use of chemical substances. A REACH-compliant product has been tested for substances of very high concern (SVHCs), including phthalates, certain heavy metals, and other endocrine disruptors. REACH compliance is a legal minimum for selling products in Europe.
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100
This certification applies primarily to textiles. It guarantees the absence of more than 100 harmful substances in every component of the product (seams, threads, dyes, etc.). It is relevant for play mats with textile sections, sleeping bags, and baby carriers. Note that the OEKO-TEX certification number must be verifiable on the oeko-tex.com website - beware of logos reproduced without a number.
What this means in practice for your purchasing choices
Buying a baby product that is chemically safe does not require you to be a chemist. It does, however, require asking the right questions and not settling for vague marketing claims such as 'natural', 'non-toxic', or 'eco-friendly' without supporting documentation.
Three simple questions to ask any manufacturer or distributor: what certifications does the product have, and can I verify the numbers? Have independent laboratory tests been carried out, and by which organization? Is the product REACH-compliant, with a test report available?
A brand that cannot answer these three questions clearly should be viewed with caution, regardless of how attractive its design or price may be.
To learn more about choosing childcare products based on their actual quality, see our guide how to choose a baby play mat in 2026, which incorporates these safety criteria into a comprehensive comparative analysis.
