HARMFUL CHEMICALS BANNED FROM EU TOYS

[Collector's Connection]

HARMFUL CHEMICALS BANNED FROM EU TOYS
Sep 24

A group of hazardous chemicals used in toys and childcare products are set to be banned following a decision by EU Ministers. The move follows a long running campaign by the environmental group Friends of the Earth to end the use of toxic chemicals known as phthalates. [1]

Phthalates are a group of chemicals suspected of causing cancer, kidney damage and disruption of the body's hormone system [2]. New research has also revealed that a child's risk of developing asthma and allergies increases when they are exposed to phthalates [3].

Karine Pellaumail, Safer Chemicals Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:

"Friends of the Earth congratulates the Council of Ministers for protecting children's heath. This decision was long overdue and the European Parliament must now support the Council's decision when it votes on the matter."

"Innovative and progressive companies, including Marks and Spencer and Ikea have already committed to phase-out of hazardous substances and prove that substitution is possible but legislation is essential to make sure the rest of the industry follows suit."

There are still many hazardous chemicals found in everyday products such as cosmetics, TVs and food packaging, and particularly chemicals that disrupt hormonal systems and accumulate in our bodies and our environment.

Friends of the Earth wants to ensure that the forthcoming legislation on chemicals, "REACH", properly addresses both the phase out of all hormone disrupters and bio-accumulative chemicals and the substitution of all dangerous chemicals with safer alternatives.

Notes for Editors:

Phthalates are used as softeners in toys made of PVC plastic and in other items [4].

Phthalates are not chemically bound to PVC, so can easily leach over time.

After five years of temporary bans [5], delays by the chemical industry [6] and lengthy chemical safety assessments, the EU Competitiveness Council agreed in an unanimous vote in favour of a ban of phthalates from toys and childcare articles [7].

Details of Friends of the Earth's work with retailers: www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/safer_chemicals/news/retailer_quiz_results.html

[1] See www.foe.co.uk/resource/factsheets/chemicals_in_the_home.html ] www.foe.co.uk/resource/factsheets/chemicals_in_the_home.html

and other resources at www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/safer_chemicals/resource/

[2] The main phthalate DEHP, with an annual production volume of 500,000 tonnes, is officially classified as toxic to reproduction. For more information on health concerns, see page 11 of Friends of the Earth's Shop till you drop? report available at www.foe.co.uk/resource/reports/shop_till_you_drop.pdf

and other resources at www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/safer_chemicals/resource/

[3] Conducted by the International Centre for Indoor Environment and Energy, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, September 2004; see press release www.ie.dtu.dk/News.asp?ID=88

[4] Total production of phthalates is approximately one million tonnes a year, with around 90% of it used to soften PVC. A standard soft PVC product contains between 10-40% of phthalates.

For more information on uses, see page 11 of Friends of the Earth's Shop till you drop? report available at

www.foe.co.uk/resource/reports/shop_till_you_drop.pdf

[5] The emergency ban has been regularly renewed since December 1999

see ENDS, `Council set to back phthalates-in-toys ban', Environment Daily 1718, 1/9/2004

www.environmentdaily.com/articles/index.cfm?action=article&ref=17183&searchtext=phthalates&searchtype=All

[6] The delay in banning them has occurred because of arguments over "acceptable levels" that can be ingested by children.

[7] The Council decision recommends a ban of three phthalates (DEHP, DBP and BBP) that the EU has identified as capable of causing reproductive damage from all products intended for children regardless of age. The three other phthalates (DINP, DIDP and DNOP) will only be prohibited in toys and childcare articles for children under three years old and which are intended to be sucked on or chewed. The political agreement document will soon be available from

ue.eu.int/cms3_fo/showPage.ASP?lang=en