Yesterday, Member States adopted a negotiation mandate on the revision of the Toys safety directive, which fails to fully protect children from harmful chemicals. Following the very ambitious position adopted by the European Parliament earlier this year, the Council’s mandate didn’t rise to the challenge. Member States have not included a group ban on bisphenols and the … [Read more...] about Member States miss an opportunity to make toys safer
Toys
Survey of councils finds that UK shoppers aren’t properly protected from illegal levels of hazardous chemicals in the products they buy
Resources to protect the UK public from hidden chemicals in consumer products are shockingly low, according to new data obtained through Freedom of Information requests. Campaigners at environmental charity CHEM Trust asked 164 councils across the UK [1] how much they spent on monitoring consumer products for hazardous chemicals in the past five years, how many products were … [Read more...] about Survey of councils finds that UK shoppers aren’t properly protected from illegal levels of hazardous chemicals in the products they buy
Scary stuff: UK highly dependent on other EU countries for assurance that toys are safe
Every day people across the UK and Europe buy millions of products, taking for granted that these goods are safe, free from illegal levels of hazardous chemicals. Authorities across the EU test products like toys, to check if laws are being broken, and if they are then they notify an EU-wide safety service, RAPEX. For example, the halloween mask above, packed full of the banned … [Read more...] about Scary stuff: UK highly dependent on other EU countries for assurance that toys are safe
New EU circular economy plan aims to promote non-toxic material cycles
The European Commission has today launched a new set of policies on the Circular Economy. Many environmental groups are rightly criticising a weakening in many areas, including recycling targets. However, the new 'Closing the loop' Action Plan does include a plan to analyse and propose options in order "to reduce the presence and improve the tracking of chemicals of concern in … [Read more...] about New EU circular economy plan aims to promote non-toxic material cycles
Are EU laws on chemicals – like REACH – being properly enforced?
Last Tuesday I spoke at a Chemical Watch conference in Brussels as part of a day of presentations and discussion about enforcement of EU chemical laws like REACH. As I emphasised in my presentation, REACH is supposed to provide a high level of protection for human health and the environment. This won't happen if companies can dodge their legal responsibilities or if they can … [Read more...] about Are EU laws on chemicals – like REACH – being properly enforced?
“Loom band” phthalates case shows chemical regulation isn’t working (updated)
Chemical analysis has found that some loom bands & charms have very high levels of phthalates in them - well over 50% in the case of some charms. As the analysts themselves say: " The latest loom bands craze in particular is throwing up some alarming results considering these products are so child appealing" Loom bands - an astoundingly popular craze with children - are … [Read more...] about “Loom band” phthalates case shows chemical regulation isn’t working (updated)
