GB/T 46509-2025Determination of the emission of volatile organic compounds in toys (English PDF)

3.1 Total volatile organic compounds; TVOC

The sum of organic compounds - separated using a non-polar chromatographic column (with a polarity index of less than 10) and detected via gas chromatography - whose retention times fall between those of n-hexane and n-hexadecane (inclusive). [Source: GB/T 31106-2014, 3.2, modified]

3.2 Volatile organic compounds; VOC

Organic compounds released from the sample that can be detected in the outlet gas of the test device.

NOTE: The "outlet of the test device" refers to the gas outlet of equipment used to test for the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including sampling ports designed for collecting gas samples. For example, when testing for VOC emissions using the climate chamber method, the outlet of the test device refers to the exhaust port or the sampling port of the climate chamber. [Source: GB/T 31106-2014, 3.1, modified]

3.3 Area carrying capacity/volume bearing capacity

The ratio of the total surface area of the sample to the volume of the air bag or climate chamber, or the ratio of the total volume of the sample to the volume of the air bag or climate chamber.

3.4 Flat toys

The surface area of the sample's sides constitutes less than 5% of its total surface area.

Its primary characteristic is that it visually presents as a flat plane.

NOTE: It typically includes various puzzles, graphic cards, stickers, drawing boards, and so on.

6.1 Sample

Sample quantity. 1 unit. In the case of product sets, the entire set is typically treated as a single sample. For samples provided with packaging, the volume is calculated based on the dimensions of the packaging. For unpackaged samples, the volume is calculated based on the actual length, width, and height. The sample surface area is calculated based on the actual exposed surface area.

Following the cutting and processing of test specimens to meet load-bearing requirements and after the specimens have undergone conditioning, their edges are sealed using aluminum tape free of formaldehyde and TVOCs.

NOTE: In principle, testing is conducted using a single sample. When employing the climate chamber method, an appropriately sized chamber shall be selected based on the characteristics of the sample. If the surface area-to-volume ratio of the sample is too small, such that even the smallest available climate chamber fails to meet the specified loading rate, the number of test samples shall be increased.

6.2 Sample conditioning

Prior to testing, samples shall be assembled in a configuration most conducive to the emission of hazardous substances. Pre-treatment shall be conducted after the samples have been opened. The surfaces of all sample components shall be exposed to the pre-treatment environment to the greatest extent possible to facilitate gas emission. Any packaging, such as wrapping paper or plastic film, shall be removed.

The pretreatment duration is (24 ± 1) h. The pretreatment environmental conditions are.

- Temperature. (23 ± 2)°C;

- Relative humidity. (50 ± 10)%;

- The spacing between samples shall be no less than 0.5 m to facilitate air circulation;

- The background levels of the pre-treatment environment shall meet the following requirements. formaldehyde content not exceeding 0.006 mg/m³, single-component VOC content not exceeding 0.005 mg/m³, and TVOC content not exceeding 0.05 mg/m³.

6.3 Bag method

6.3.1 Selection of air bags

The area loading rate range for the air bag (5.3) is 0.50 m²/m³~1.5 m²/m³; a suitable air bag shall be selected based on the principle of choosing the one with an area loading rate closest to 1 m²/m³. The volume loading rate range for the air bag is 0.075~0.30; a suitable air bag shall be selected based on the principle of choosing the one with a volume loading rate closest to 0.15. In principle, one sample is used per test. However, when the total volume of the sample is less than 0.75 L or the total surface area is less than 0.5 dm², a 10 L air bag shall be used for the test in all cases.

NOTE: It is recommended that flat toys and toy materials be tested based on area load-bearing capacity, while other toys be tested based on volume load-bearing capacity.

6.3.2 Cleaning of air bags

The cleaning steps for air bags (5.3) are as follows:

a) Adjust the temperature of the constant-temperature chamber (5.5) to 80 °C. Open the chamber door and initiate gas circulation for 30 min. Close the chamber door;

b) Open the air bag to be cleaned. Place the air bag in the test chamber with its inner surface facing outward. After heating for 10 h~12 h, reopen the chamber door to purge the internal atmosphere for 30 min;

c) Invert the air bag, close the hatch, and continue heating for 2 h ~ 3 h;

d) Remove the air bag. Turn the inner surface right-side out. Seal the air bag using a heat sealer or a sealing strip. Fill the bag with a specific volume of high-purity nitrogen (5.7). After 2 h, observe whether the sampling bag exhibits any noticeable shrinkage to assess its airtightness;

e) Perform gas displacement of the air bag using high-purity nitrogen. Fill the bag with approximately 50% of its volume in high-purity nitrogen, then extract the gas. Repeat this procedure 3 times;

f) Accurately introduce 50% high-purity nitrogen. Heat at 65°C for 120 min ± 10 min. Use a TENAX tube (5.9) to sample benzene compounds. Use a DNPH tube (5.8) to sample formaldehyde;

g) Instrumental verification of the air bag blank is required, stipulating that the concentration of each individual substance must be less than 0.005 mg/m³.

6.3.3 Sample testing

Upon completion of sample pretreatment, the sample shall be placed in an appropriate position within the air bag (5.3) as soon as possible. Samples that require assembly, folding, or adjustment shall be assembled, unfolded, or adjusted in a configuration that best facilitates the emission of hazardous substances. Generally, samples are subjected to emission testing within the bag as complete individual items or complete sets. The surfaces of all sample components shall be exposed to the interior of the air bag to the greatest extent possible to facilitate gas emission. The sample testing procedures are as follows:

a) Open an air sampling bag that has passed the blank test. Place the sample to be tested inside;

b) Seal the air sampling bag using a heat sealer or a sealing strip;

c) Fill the bag with high-purity nitrogen (5.7) to approximately 50% of its volume. After 2 h, observe whether the bag shows any noticeable shrinkage to assess its airtightness;

d) Purge the sampling bag using high-purity nitrogen. Fill the bag with high-purity nitrogen to approximately 50% of its volume, then evacuate the gas. Repeat this procedure twice;

e) Accurately add high-purity nitrogen to the sampling bag, filling it to exactly 50% of its volume;

f) Take a separate blank sampling bag and leave it empty (without a sample). Perform steps c) ~ e) as described above;

g) Place both sampling bags into a constant-temperature chamber (5.5). Maintain a constant temperature of 23°C for 120 min ± 10 min to ensure uniform heating;

h) Use TENAX tubes (5.9) (two parallel tubes are required) to sample benzene-series compounds. Use DNPH tubes (5.8) to sample formaldehyde.

6.3.4 Sample gas collection

Install the sorbent tubes, tubing, and sampler in accordance with Annex A. Before sampling the gas, gently shake the air bag (5.3) to ensure uniform gas distribution.

Conduct sampling according to the conditions specified in Table 1, collecting samples using two TENAX tubes (5.9) and one DNPH tube (5.8). The TENAX tubes containing collected samples shall be analyzed immediately. If immediate analysis is not possible, seal both ends of the tubes using compression fittings. Subsequently, wrap the tubes in aluminum foil, label them appropriately, and store them under refrigeration (4°C~10°C).

The maximum storage duration is one week. The DNPH tubes containing collected samples shall be eluted with acetonitrile immediately. If immediate elution is not […]