Motorola featured in our previous toxic tech test action and received thousands of emails from concerned citizens requesting it removes toxic chemicals from its products. Melvitacosm produces the Melvita's Iris Blue perfume that was shown to have high levels of a toxic chemical in our valentine day perfume tests. These companies join Samsung, Nokia, Adidas, Reebok, H&M, Chicco toys and others in adopting a precautionary approach to end the use of chemicals of concern in their products. Discover the companies taking positive steps in our toxic free catwalk.

Update 22 May 2006: US mobile phone company Motorola has backtracked on a promise to remove toxic chemicals from its products. While competitors like Sony Ericsson and Nokia are living up to their commitments to remove toxic chemicals, Motorola is not answering the call to clean up.

Why are chemicals in products important?

Many chemicals found in everyday products are now common environmental pollutants and are found in animals and humans. Almost everyone has dozens of man-made chemicals in their body; the effects of these chemical cocktails on our health are unknown.

While these voluntary company measures are good news, other companies will never change unless the law forces them to. Only then will these toxic chemicals be fully phased out and substituted with safer alternatives.

What about those laws?

Current regulation of chemicals is weak and inadequate. Toxic chemicals are found from the Arctic to the Alps. The European Union (EU) is drafting new chemical law that would set a world standard, but to be effective the new law must identify all hazardous chemicals and require their substitution with safer alternatives.

Chemical contamination? No Thanks!

While better chemical regulation should be welcomed by all, it is under attack from predictable quarters. The chemical industry has been scare-mongering with exaggerated claims of job losses and declining profits. It has also recruited dirty industry's best friend, the Bush Administration, to threaten the EU with a World Trade Organisation lawsuit if it dares to try and cut toxic pollution.

The best way to counter inaccurate industry lobbying is to have other companies demonstrate that they can do without toxic chemicals. It remains to be seen if European members of parliament will side with the people and progressive companies by voting for strong chemical law. Or will they prefer the lobbying and scare-mongering of dirty industry?