www.wecf.org

Revision of the toy safety directive Revision of the toy safety directive

will children really be safe from will children really be safe from hazardous chemicals in toys?hazardous chemicals in toys?

European ParliamentEuropean ParliamentBrussels, 3 September 2008Brussels, 3 September 2008

Women in Europe for a Common FutureWomen in Europe for a Common Future

www.wecf.org

Concerned about European Concerned about European children‘s healthchildren‘s health

• Cancer incidence in children is increasing at 1% yearly; it is the 2nd cause of mortality. International Association for Cancer Research (IARC)- Steliarova-Foucher, (2004), The Lancet 364.International Association for Cancer Research (IARC)- Steliarova-Foucher, (2004), The Lancet 364.

• 73% of children that are cured of cancer have lifelong disabilities. Netherlands, October 2006Netherlands, October 2006

• Uterus and breast milk are chemically contaminated (pollutants pass through the placental barrier). Noreen, K., Mieronyte, D. (1998) Contaminants in Swedish Noreen, K., Mieronyte, D. (1998) Contaminants in Swedish

human milkhuman milk

www.wecf.org

Lifelong effects of early Lifelong effects of early exposureexposure

• 1 in every 6 boys1 in every 6 boys born in Europe today born in Europe today will have a low sperm count, will have a low sperm count,

• Research shows links with prenatal Research shows links with prenatal exposure to exposure to endocrine disruptingendocrine disrupting substances.substances.

• Carlsen E., et al (1992), British Medical Journal 305. Carlsen E., et al (1992), British Medical Journal 305. See also van Waeleghem, K., et al (1996), Human See also van Waeleghem, K., et al (1996), Human Reproduction 112.Reproduction 112.

www.wecf.org

Toys 30-Toys 30-50%50% Couch (foam) Couch (foam)

10-30%10-30%PVC PVC

Shower Shower curtain curtain 20-40%20-40% Shoes 10-30%Shoes 10-30%

Wallpaper Wallpaper 30-40%30-40%

Rain gear Rain gear 20-40%20-40%

Products containing Products containing PhthalatesPhthalates

CosmeticsCosmetics

www.wecf.org

Innovation: Substitution and Innovation: Substitution and Clean Production…Clean Production…

Biodegradable hydrogel superabsorbents

Biodegradable Surfactants

Chitosan for use in microencapsulation of

drugs

Halogen-free flame retardants

Compostable packaging

Castor oil-based plasticiser (phthalate

substitute!)

Source: Green Chemistry

www.wecf.org

Toy Directive RevisionToy Directive Revision

Proposed improvements 1Proposed improvements 1• All CMRs (cat. 1, 2 and 3) must be entirely All CMRs (cat. 1, 2 and 3) must be entirely

excluded from toys without exception: there excluded from toys without exception: there is no safe minimum levelis no safe minimum level

• Until a total exclusion of all CMRs, the Until a total exclusion of all CMRs, the guidelines on chemicals of the food and guidelines on chemicals of the food and cosmetics directive should apply to all toyscosmetics directive should apply to all toys

• CMRs must not be allowed in non-CMRs must not be allowed in non-accessible parts of toys eitheraccessible parts of toys either

www.wecf.org

Toy Directive RevisionToy Directive Revision

Proposed improvements 2Proposed improvements 2Other known hazardous substances should also Other known hazardous substances should also

not be allowed in toys should benot be allowed in toys should be• All substances of very high concern All substances of very high concern

– Endocrine Disruptors (at a minimum, the EU Endocrine Disruptors (at a minimum, the EU endocrine disrupting priority list)endocrine disrupting priority list)

– PBT and vPvBPBT and vPvB– Neurotoxins Neurotoxins

• Non-classified dangerous chemicalsNon-classified dangerous chemicals• Emerging risk substances as nano-particlesEmerging risk substances as nano-particles

www.wecf.org

Toy Directive RevisionToy Directive Revision

Proposed improvements 3Proposed improvements 3• All allergenic substances and All allergenic substances and

sensitizers, should be excluded from sensitizers, should be excluded from toys toys

– Not just a limited number of fragrances Not just a limited number of fragrances

www.wecf.org

Toy Directive RevisionToy Directive Revision

Proposed improvements 4Proposed improvements 4• Precautionary principle at the basis - Precautionary principle at the basis -

no data no marketno data no market• Comitology procedure Comitology procedure • Stakeholder participationStakeholder participation

www.wecf.org

Günter VerheugenGünter VerheugenVice-president EC speaking on PFOS at the Vice-president EC speaking on PFOS at the

European Parliament, 24 October 2006European Parliament, 24 October 2006

„„I do not accept the Argument that we I do not accept the Argument that we should use highly toxic substances to should use highly toxic substances to have economic growth or to save jobs“have economic growth or to save jobs“

„„The decision can only be one of The decision can only be one of protecting humans and nature from protecting humans and nature from preventable risks, preventable risks, unconditionallyunconditionally“ “

Thank You

www.wecf.org