As European member states unanimously gave the green light today to an emergency ban on chemicals in soft PVC teething toys "intended for the mouth", Greenpeace warned consumers that children are still at risk. The emergency Europe-wide ban will not include other soft PVC toys such as bath ducks and animal figures which children still suck.
Greenpeace highlighted a scientific study carried out for the Dutch Government, which shows that babies between 6 and 12 months suck and chew toys not "intended for the mouth" like bath toys and squash bricks for much longer periods than teethers and dummies.
"This ban is a small step towards protecting children from the potentially harmful effects of soft PVC toys but goes nowhere near far enough," said Greenpeace Toxics campaigner Mark Strutt. "An immediate withdrawal of all soft PVC toys for children under three is the only way babies and toddlers can be protected from hazardous Christmas presents."
This is the first time an emergency ban on hazardous substances in a consumer product has been adopted in Europe. It means the European Commission has recognised a "serious and immediate risk" from soft PVC teethers. The ban prohibits the use of phthalates in toys "intended for the mouth". Phthalates are used to soften PVC toys and are according to the European Commission are linked with various health effects including damage to the liver, kidneys and reproductive organs.
The Committee of Product Safety Emergencies, who agreed the ban, comprised of officials from all 15 EU member states. They unanimously supported the Commission's proposal to ban six toxic softeners found in soft PVC toys for teething. The ban first debated in May 1998, is the first emergency product ban in the EU. The Commission can now is formally adopt the decision on the 8th December 1999. Once adopted, member states have 10 days to implement the ban.
Seven EU countries (2) plus Norway have already agreed stronger national bans, which cover all PVC toys for under threes that have been softened with phthalates. But Britain has been active in limiting the EU emergency ban to softeners in toys "intended for the mouth". (3)
Greenpeace has published a list of soft PVC toys for the under-threes, purchased from the Early Learning Centre, Mothercare and other high street retailers. Most of these toys contain phthalates and are therefore already banned in the seven European Union countries.
Greenpeace advised parents not to buy soft plastic toys unless they are clearly labelled "PVC free". For toys already purchased, Greenpeace advised parents to ask retailers or toy producers whether the toys are made of soft PVC. If they do not receive an immediate answer, they should return the toys to the shops and ask for a refund.
"Toy retailers must take responsibility and clear their shelves of all soft PVC toys for the under-threes now. It's the only way parents can be sure that children are protected from these hazardous chemicals," Strutt added.
Notes to Editors:
1. Preamble of Draft Commission Decision adopting measures prohibiting the placing on the market of toys and childcare articles intended to be placed in the mouth by children under three years of age made of soft PVC containing one or more of the substances [DINP, DEHP, DBP, DIDP, DNOP, and BBP]:
"toys and childcare articles for young children made of soft PVC containing phthalates are liable to present a serious and immediate risk to health"; "given that toys and childcare articles of soft PVC containing phthalates intended for being placed in the mouth by children under three years of age present a serious and immediate risk, it is necessary to prohibit immediately their placing on the market".
2. Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Greece, Italy and Germany
3. Letter from the Department of Trade and Industry to Greenpeace 3 November 1999.
Further information:
Contact:
Greenpeace press office on 020 7865 8255
