1. Check the material: Prioritize natural or recyclable substrates.
Recommended materials: Natural materials such as kraft paper, pure paper, and non-woven fabric are environmentally friendly and biodegradable.
Secondary choice: PET (polyester film) has strong chemical stability, is recyclable, and is suitable for kitchen and electronic product labels.
Choose with caution: Ordinary PVC material may contain vinyl chloride and heavy metal stabilizers during production, is difficult to degrade, and easily releases toxic gases at high temperatures.
Prefer modified environmentally friendly PVC: Some brands have adopted halogen-free and low-VOC formulas; check the product instructions.
✅ Tip: Packaging labeled "biodegradable," "halogen-free," and "low-VOC" is more reliable.
2. Smell: No pungent chemical smell is a basic requirement. After opening the sticker packaging, high-quality environmentally friendly stickers have almost no smell or only a slight glue smell.
If there is a strong pungent odor (such as burnt plastic or paint smell), it may contain benzene solvents, formaldehyde, or inferior ink; discontinue use immediately. Special Reminder: Children's stickers and temporary tattoos come into direct contact with the skin; any unusual odor warrants caution.
3. Check Certifications: Look for Authoritative Environmental Labels. Stickers that have passed third-party testing are more trustworthy. Pay special attention to the following certifications:
China Environmental Labeling (China Ten-Ring Certification): A national-level environmental standard covering limits for formaldehyde, heavy metals, VOCs, etc.
SGS Environmental Certification: Tests for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), phthalates, lead, cadmium, and other harmful substances; reports are verifiable.
EN 71-3 (EU Toy Standard): Strictly limits the content of migratable elements, applicable to children's products.
GREENGUARD (USA): Extremely high requirements for VOC emissions, suitable for sensitive environments.
🔍 When purchasing, request the seller to provide test reports, focusing on formaldehyde emissions (≤0.05mg/m³) and PAH content.
4. Identifying Ink and Glue: Safety is Paramount in Direct Contact
Ink: Choose water-based or environmentally friendly inks, avoiding pigments containing heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and naphthalene, especially for skin-contact stickers (such as temporary tattoos).
Glue: Prioritize formaldehyde-free, pressure-sensitive, or removable adhesives, avoiding organic solvent-based glues to reduce formaldehyde and VOC emissions.
5. Simple Home Testing Methods
Water Immersion Test: Immerse the sticker for 12 hours. Environmentally friendly stickers that do not fade, delaminate, or peel indicate stable dyes and adhesive layers.
Burning Test: Ignite a small piece. Natural materials produce a small, grayish-white flame with no black smoke; PVC burns with black smoke and a pungent odor, posing a high risk.
Skin Test: Apply to the inside of the wrist for 2 hours. No redness or itching indicates it is suitable for children or those with sensitive skin. ⚠️ Special reminder: When choosing stickers or temporary tattoos for children, be sure to choose reputable brands and avoid "three-no" products (products without manufacturer's name, address, or production date) to prevent the absorption of carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons through the skin.
