Skip to content

Health

EU steps up the fight against toxic chemicals

by Lucy Brake 22 Feb 2011
EU steps up the fight against toxic chemicals

The European Commission has taken major steps in the way it reviews and approves toxic chemicals that are used to make consumer products which are available within the EU. They have just confirmed that legislation effectively banning six particularly toxic chemicals from the EU will be enacted within the next three to five years.

The inclusion of toxic chemicals in household products has been the subject of heated debates throughout much of the western world and the EU policy makers have been reviewing the approval system for chemicals in Europe since 2006.

The EU approval system, known as 'Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals' (or REACH), is focused on requiring manufacturers to provide evidence that the items they are producing are safe before they are allowed into the European marketplace. The EU believes this will lead to chemicals being included in products which are safer for both for people and the environment.

The EU regulating agency, European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), has confirmed there are 29 substances that they believe give cause for concern in regards to impacts on human health as well as the environment and this number is expected to raise to 135 over the coming year. Some of the substances ECHA are worried about include plastic softening phthalates, a flame retardant and a musk fragrance.

Whilst toxic phthalates in children's toys have been banned for over 10 years, there are still products on the market that children use every day which have snuck under the radar, such as erasers and pencil cases. But this latest decision means that without special exemptions manufactures will not be able to include those toxic chemicals listed by the ECHA in their products.

The announcement to prohibit these toxic chemicals is believed by some to be the culmination of one of the greatest lobbying fights in the history of the EU. ''Chemicals are everywhere in the modern world and some of them can be very dangerous,'' EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said.

''Today's decision is an important step towards better protecting our health and the environment''. Christian Schaible, of the European Environmental Bureau which recently published a report raising concerns over hundreds of different chemicals found in common household items, said ''we are pleased this has finally happened, but the pace is far too slow''.


Trending Eco-Friendly Clothing

Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Love My Planet Women's Relaxed Fit Hoodie
Love My Planet women's eco-friendly relaxed fit hoodieSize Guide Centimeters 8 10 12 14 16 18 Bust 84 88 92 97 103 108 Waist 66 70 75 80 85 91 Hips 91 95 99 104 109 116 Bust: Measure around the fullest part of...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Penguins Hate Push-Ups Men's Pullover Hoodie
Penguins Hate Push-Ups men's eco-friendly pullover HoodieSize Guide Centimeters XS S M L XL XXL Height 171 175 179 183 189 195 Chest 86 93 99 104 116 129 Waist 71 76 81 89 99 112 Chest: Measure all round your chest just below...
£38.00
£38.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Lightning Bolt Kids Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Lightning Bolt kids eco-friendly long sleeve t-shirtSize Guide Centimeters 3-4yrs 5-6yrs 7-8yrs 9-10yrs 11-12yrs Height 98 112 125 136 147 Chest 60 66 70 75 84 Chest: Measure all around your chest just below your armpits. Height: Your natural height If you fall between...
£18.00
£18.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Earth
Quick Add
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Union Jack Tote Bag
Union Jack eco-friendly colour tote bagProduct Specification Organic Cotton Tote Bag. Twill Weave (170gsm). 37 x 42 cm (7cm gusset.) Made in India / Designed on the Isle of Wight. Wash Cool, Hang Dry.
£16.00
£16.00
Close
Notify me
Notify me
Prev Post
Next Post

Eco-Friendly Shop

Women's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Women Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable women’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Men's Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothing for Men Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable men’s clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies, vests, sweaters, shorts, and...
Shop Now

Kids Clothing

Eco-Friendly Clothes for Kids Our online shop offers a wide range of sustainable kids clothing products, including t-shirts, hoodies and jumpers. Our garments...
Shop Now
Someone recently bought a
[time] ago, from [location]

Thanks for subscribing!

This email has been registered!

Shop the look

Choose Options

Earth Times
Sign up for exclusive updates, new arrivals & insider only discounts

Recently Viewed

Edit Option
Back In Stock Notification
this is just a warning
Login
Shopping Cart
0 items

Before you leave...

Take 20% off your first order

20% off

Enter the code below at checkout to get 20% off your first order

CODESALE20

Continue Shopping