Samsung annouces phase out of hazardous chemicals.
In May 2004 we published our chemical
house website to inform consumers which everyday products, from
cleaning products to computers, contain nasty chemicals and what
alternatives are available. Until last week, Samsung products like
TVs, mobile phones and computers were all on the red list. From the
list, it was clear that, for example, Phillips televisions were a
better choice when out shopping if you wanted to use your purchase
to vote for a cleaner environment.
But now Samsung has leapt to the
top of the class and chosen to lead its competitors by being
the first electronics company to commit to substitute safer
chemicals in place of hazardous chemicals in all, rather than just
some of its products.
We
hope that other companies respond to our red list as well: "Samsung
is setting a trend in the field of substitution of hazardous
chemicals in consumer products," says Bart van Opzeeland of
Greenpeace. "This should serve as a example for other companies and
provide a roadmap for a new strict European chemicals policy, which
the European Union (EU) is currently developing."
Gregor Margetson, Head of European Environmental Affairs for
Samsung Electronics Europe said: "Samsung Electronics has always
taken environmental issues seriously and our work with Greenpeace
shows we welcome constructive input on such subjects. Their initial
criticism motivated us to re-evaluate our goals and consider what
is truly possible. We choose to take the difficult option because
we have ambitions to become a more sustainable company, and we
realise that this prize comes at a price."
Leading the way
Other companies such as IKEA, Hennes and Mauritz (H&M),
Marks and Spencer, and the UK Co-op have taken progressive stances
on chemicals. Others like
Disney choose not to address the problem of hazardous chemicals
in their products. It's up to consumers to demonstrate that this
choice, too, comes at a price.
Currently
the EU is drafting a new law on chemicals. It was originally
designed to protect the environment and human health by forcing
dirty industry and companies to use safer chemicals. However it now
seems to becoming more about protecting the chemical industry,
after extensive lobbying by industry and some governments.
Samsung's announcement is proof that we don't need hazardous
chemicals in our everyday products and helps counter the industry
lobbying.
Choices driving change
Every time you go shopping you have the chance to use your
purchasing choices as a vote for or against a company policy.
Looking for furniture? Taking a trip to IKEA not only means
products mostly without toxic chemicals but also furniture that
isn't made from ancient forests. Also Home Depot has committed to
move away from buying timber from endangered forests. When making
home improvements, buying
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) timber products means your
home isn't made from the home of gorillas or orang-utans. It also
means that you are raising demand for FSC timber and therefore
making suppliers increase stocks of FSC products.
What you buy makes a difference, just as NOT buying a product
can impact a company or policy. When filling up your car, not
stopping at Exxon/Esso gas station means you are hitting the
profits of the company that is doing the most to fuel global warming. Avoiding
Nestle products in the supermarket shows you don't support
their pro-genetic engineering stance and dubious marketing tactics
in developing countries. Recently Sainsbury's, a leading UK
supermarket decided to trial
genetically engineered (GE) free milk from diary cattle not fed
on GE animal feed. This was the result of our campaign to offer
Sainsbury's customers organic milk for free in exchange for
Sainsbury's GE milk outside stores.
Use that power
So the next time you are shopping or thinking about a big
purchase, take some time to get informed. Make sure that your
choices are helping make the world a better place, rather than
funding its destruction.
Get informed
Check out how the consumer products you buy rate by chemical content. Also in French, Dutch.
Get a consumer guide to GE food in your country.
Ancient forest friendly paper buying tips.
Green living tips to reduce the need for environmentally damaging products.
Hints, real experiences and the pros and cons of ethical living from the Guardian (UK). US relevant information on green living from the NRDC and thegreenlife.org.