"We applaud the efforts of these industry leaders. They show
that safer alternatives to toxic chemicals are readily available
and being used, and that the use of toxic chemicals in their
products is unnecessary," said Iza Kruszewska, Greenpeace
International Toxics campaigner.
Nokia and Puma are following the lead of Samsungwhich in recent
months has made commitments to manufacture products free of
hazardous chemicals. Other manufacturers are lagging behind,
despite the widely acknowledged damage to environment and health
that can be caused by the use of such substances.
The chemicals to be phased out and substituted with safer
alternatives are of growing concern because of toxic properties and
their ability to persist and accumulate in the environment and in
human bodies. Hazardous chemicals are now so widely used in
consumer products [2] that they have been found in rainwater [3]
house dust in our homes, [4] and even in human blood. [5]
§ Puma, a sport-lifestyle brand, has committed to eliminating
harmful chemicals from both its sports shoes and perfumes with
immediate effect.
Dr. Reiner Hengstmann, Global Head Environmental & Social
Affairs at Puma, said: "The intentional use of hazardous chemicals
is forbidden and when traces of hazardous substances are found in
the product (due to contamination), Puma looks into the source and
eliminates the cause. From Puma's point of view, it is well worth
the effort to be proactive with our standards whenever the health
of our consumers and manufacturing partners is at stake."
§ Nokia, the world's largest manufacturer of mobile phones, has
committed to phasing out brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and PVC
plastic.
Adidas and Unilever have adopted policies to phase out harmful
chemicals in some of their products, but have still to do this
across their global product range.
§ Adidas, a sporting goods company, has a policy to phase
outtoxic substances from its sports shoes. However, Adidas has yet
to adopt a phase-out policy for its perfume and body care
products.
§ Unilever has confirmed that its new personal care products,
such as the Organics and Timotei shampoo lines, and household
products in Europe do not contain hazardous chemicals such as most
phthalates, nitro musks or polycyclic musks. However, it has yet to
phase out these substances worldwide. Although four of Unilever's
Dove body lotion lines are already free of hazardous substances,
one still contains the phthalate DEP. And, Unilever has no plans to
phase out harmful chemicals in perfumes.
§ Chicco, a manufacturer of toys and baby products, will
eliminate the use of PVC within three years; small amounts of this
plastic are still used in components, accessories and packaging
[6]
Ultimately, although voluntary measures to substitute harmful
chemicals with safer alternatives are welcome, they are mostly
insufficient, as some companies will only comply with the current
legal requirements. These are widely regarded as inadequate.
That's why the EU is currently debating a new chemicals
regulation, known as REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation
of CHemicals), in an attempt to bring the current chemical anarchy
under control.
"These few companies are proving that they can substitute these
hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives," said Nadia
Haiama-Neurohr, Greenpeace EU Unit policy adviser. "But the fact
that most companies continue to use such substances, and that we
have found them in human blood, increases the urgency of the need
to reform EU policy. The regulation must include the requirement to
substitute harmful chemicals wherever safer alternatives are
available and that's not in the proposal at the moment," concluded
Haiama-Neurohr.
Greenpeace is launching an international cyberaction to pressure
electronics manufacturers [7] to phase out the hazardous substances
from their products and to substitute them with safer alternatives.
To join, go to: http://www.greenpeace.org/productsaction
Notes: [1] The products database (in English) is at: http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/Products/Toxics/chemicalhouse, and in French at www.vigitox.org[2] http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/MultimediaFiles/Live/FullReport/6043.pdf[3] http://www.greenpeace.org/multimedia/download/1/258905/0/rainwater.pdf[4] http://www.greenpeace.org/international_en/multimedia/download/1/284610/0/4500_web.pdf [5] http://www.greenpeace.nl/reports/more-reports?archived=&campaign_id=446455&start=3http://www.greenpeace.nl/multimedia/download/1/648830/0/rapporttno.pdfhttp://www.greenpeace.nl/multimedia/download/1/648869/0/rapportsauer.pdf[6] Less than 3.2% of Chicco products in its catalogue contain PVC components. Letter from Chicco Artsana to Greenpeace Italy, 10th June 2004. [7] TV manufacturers: Akai, Bang & Olufsen, Grundig, Daewoo, JVC, Panasonic, SharpManufacturers of mobiles phones: Ericsson, Motorola, Panasonic, Siemens, SharpManufacturers of Computers: Acer, Apple, Dell, HP, IBM, Panasonic, Toshiba, Tulip computers