Coming up to Christmas, Mattel, the largest maker of toys worldwide, has announced that it will revamp the plastic it uses in making its toys following the outcry over the health risks to children of phthalates.

Coming on the same day, the EU Commission issued an emergency ban on the use of the chemicals in toys which children can put in their mouths, the action of the US giant may sound responsible . . . until you hear it will not take place until 2001 - that's the year after next.

The EU ban comes amid fears that plastic toys containing phthalates - a plastic softener - may cause liver and kidney ailments in kids.

Mattel and Playskool make bath toys among other items, which contain high levels of these phthalates, according to a US watchdog. Mattel has said the traditional plastics will be replaced with alternatives, once these alternatives are fully tested to meet regulations. Should I feel reassured?

Dominic Coyle can be contacted at dcoyle@irish-times.ie