Why the chemical composition of baby products deserves your attention
When choosing an activity mat, toy, or bath accessory for your child, you naturally think about durability, design, and ergonomics. What's less obvious is the material content itself. Yet, babies spend hours in direct contact with these surfaces: they touch them, put them in their mouths, and sleep on them. The question of chemical composition is not secondary—it's central.
This article explains, without alarmism but with precision, what the most concerning chemical substances in childcare products are, how to identify them, and how certifications help you avoid them.
The three families of substances to know
Formamide in EVA foams
Formamide is a solvent used in the manufacture of certain ethylene-vinyl acetate foams, commonly known as EVA. It acts as an expansion agent: it helps the foam achieve its light and flexible shape during the manufacturing process. The problem is that it does not remain inert in the finished product. At room temperature, it can migrate to the surface of the material and enter the ambient air through evaporation.
Formamide is classified as a category 1B reprotoxic substance by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This means it is suspected of harming fertility and fetal development. In 2010, Belgium was the first European country to ban play mats containing formamide above a certain threshold. European regulations have since evolved, but not all manufacturers apply the same standards.
How to check? A quality EVA product should explicitly state the absence of formamide or feature a certification that covers this substance. EN 71 (toys) standard and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certifications include tests for migrating substances, including formamide.
BPA and polycarbonate plastics
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound used in the manufacture of certain hard plastics and epoxy resins. It has long been present in baby bottles, pacifiers, food containers, and various childcare accessories. Its peculiarity: it is a recognized endocrine disruptor, capable of mimicking estrogen in the body and interfering with the hormonal system, even at very low doses.
In Europe, BPA has been banned in baby bottles since 2011, then in all childcare articles for children under three years old since 2018, under the European regulation on food contact materials. However, some products imported from outside the European Union do not comply with these restrictions. The mention 'BPA-free' on a product sold in Europe is therefore more a confirmation of conformity than an exceptional promise—but it is better than its absence.
It is also important to know that BPA substitutes, such as BPS (bisphenol S) or BPF, are the subject of worrying studies. A 'BPA-free' product is not necessarily free of all endocrine disruptors. This is why global certifications for chemical substances remain more reliable than a single marketing claim.
Phthalates in soft materials
Phthalates are plasticizers added to PVC to make it soft and flexible. They are found in some bath toys, teething rings, placemats, and childcare accessories made of soft plastic. Like BPA, several phthalates are endocrine disruptors. Some are classified as reprotoxic.
The European REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) prohibits several phthalates in toys and childcare articles beyond certain thresholds. Targeted phthalates include DEHP, DBP, BBP and, more recently, DINP, DIDP, and DNOP. A REACH-compliant product is not guaranteed to be free of all phthalates, but it respects the legal thresholds established based on toxicological data.
What certifications actually cover
OEKO-TEX Standard 100
This certification applies primarily to textiles, but also to certain composite articles. It guarantees that every component of the product—fabric, thread, button, coating—has been tested against a list of over 100 harmful substances, including formaldehydes, azo dyes, heavy metals, and phthalates. The thresholds are often stricter than European regulations, especially for items intended for infants (class I).
CE and the Toy Safety Directive (EN 71)
The CE marking on a toy or childcare article indicates that the manufacturer declares conformity with applicable European directives. For toys, the EN 71 standard covers mechanical safety, flammability, and chemical properties, among others. But beware: the CE marking is a self-declaration. It does not guarantee independent control. It is a minimum legal basis, not a qualitative label.
REACH: a regulation, not a label
REACH is not a certification that a manufacturer 'obtains': it is a European regulatory obligation. A 'REACH compliant' product respects the legal restrictions on hazardous chemical substances. This is a necessary condition for selling in Europe, not a differentiating advantage in itself. What matters is how a manufacturer goes beyond this minimum compliance.
How to read product sheets and ask the right questions
When faced with a childcare product, several practical questions help assess the manufacturer's transparency. What material is the product made of? If it's a foam, is it EVA, XPE, polyurethane? Does the manufacturer explicitly mention the absence of formamide for an EVA foam? Has the product been tested by an independent laboratory?
A serious manufacturer should be able to provide test reports upon request. The complete absence of information on chemical composition is itself a warning sign.
For activity mats in particular, which represent one of the most prolonged contact surfaces for an infant, these questions are particularly important. The Treelys activity mat is formulated without formamide, BPA, and phthalates, with materials tested to meet the most demanding standards—an approach consistent with the philosophy of products designed to last and not compromise children's health.
Adopt critical reading, not permanent anxiety
It's not about creating irrational fear around every everyday object. The vast majority of products sold legally in Europe comply with regulatory thresholds. But between the legal minimum and a product genuinely designed in the child's interest, there is a significant margin.
Choosing products whose manufacturer commits to chemical composition, that have independent certifications, and that clearly document their materials, is exercising your role as an informed consumer. This is also one of the criteria we detail in our guide on evolving baby products and why to buy less but better.
Chemical safety is not a marketing argument: it is a concrete, verifiable selection criterion that truly matters in a child's first years of life.
