Testing of play sand products

Business Advisory Notice for the testing of play sand products

The CCPC issued the following business advisory notice for the attention of all economic operators in the Republic of Ireland, including manufacturers, distributors, retailers and importers in relation to their play sand products that may contain asbestos.

The issue of play sand products containing asbestos is a recently identified European and global concern across supply chains, and all relevant economic operators are expected to take immediate action.

The business advisory notice issued is to undertake appropriate asbestos testing of all potentially affected play sand products currently on the market and prior to placing any such products on the market in the future.

The CCPC expects economic operators to:

• Assess whether their products fall within the potentially affected categories.
• Undertake appropriate asbestos testing where this has not already been completed.
• Ensure that only products confirmed as safe and compliant are placed on the market.

All economic operators are reminded that they are legally required to place only safe products on the market and to ensure that products meet all applicable safety requirements. Failure to take appropriate action may result in regulatory engagement.

The following types of play sand toy products may be impacted:

• Loose play sand
• Craft or hobby kits containing sand
• Kinetic sand
• Sand contained in small toy plastic figures (not intended to become free during normal use)

Testing methodologies to be used

In line with international practices, business should use the following appropriate testing methodology for detecting asbestos in consumer products containing sand when getting their products tested

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray) Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX)

This is the most appropriate testing technique for detecting asbestos in consumer products containing sand such as toys, hobby and decorative products. It can more reliably identify low asbestos concentrations, (below 0.1%), and fine or thin asbestos fibres likely to be present in contaminated products.

When employing SEM-EDX, representative characterisation of the product requires both, using appropriate sampling methods and analysing a sufficient number of images to ensure that the analysed sub sample is truly representative of the overall product. 

Other equally sensitive testing methods may be as effective.