Black Friday is approaching, and many of us will soon be on the hunt for bargains. However, some of the products on sale may contain chemicals that could harm your health or the environment. That’s why we’ve put together some tips on how you can lower your risk of exposure while on the lookout for deals.

Harmful chemicals can be present in a wide range of products, including cosmetics, furnishings, cooking equipment, and clothing.

For example, a recent report by the NGO Global 2000 and the Austrian Upper Chamber of Labour tested clothing from Temu and Shein for harmful chemicals, including PFAS and phthalates. They found that 7 out of 20 items contained levels that were well above the permitted limits. Read more about harmful chemicals in Temu products here.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been linked to adverse health impacts, including certain cancers and reduced fertility and take generations to break down in the environment. Some phthalates have been classified as toxic for reproduction or as having endocrine-disrupting properties.

A 2023 report by BEUC – The European Consumer Organisation, which compiled studies from 2017 to 2023, found that harmful chemicals are ubiquitous in everyday products, but that it is possible to find safer alternatives.

Counterfeit items, or fake versions of popular products, can also pose a health risk as they are often poorly made and may contain toxic substances. A recent investigation by the Swedish Chemicals Agency tested seven counterfeit Labubu toys and found high levels of a banned phthalate in five of them at concentrations up to 250 times the EU’s legal limit.

So here are our top tips for reducing your risk of exposure to harmful chemicals this Black Friday:

Tip 1: Be sure to buy from reputable shops, whether online or in store. When buying online, try to buy from stores based in EU countries, where regulation on harmful chemicals in products is more protective.

Tip 2: Check ingredient lists, especially on toiletries and cosmetics and avoid parabens, PFAS (might be written as fluoro- or PTFE), and parfum/perfume

Tip 3: When buying cosmetics, you can use mobile apps to identify products containing chemicals you should avoid. In Germany, use Tox Fox, in France use Beautydecoded, and in the UK try Impact Score Shopping.

Tip 4: Look out for eco labels such as the EU Ecolabel, Blue Angel, and Nordic Swan.

Tip 5: Finally, the best way to reduce your risk of exposure is to consume less in general. Try to make thoughtful purchases of things you really want and need, rather than buying something because it’s on sale. Not only will this benefit your own health, but also the planet’s!

CHEM Trust supports ongoing efforts to ensure the most hazardous chemicals are not used in consumer products.

For more information on reducing your risk of exposure to harmful chemicals in clothing, see our webpage.

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