'Playing with Chemicals'
Article in the first issue of SIN Reporter
13.05.2009 | SIN Reporter 1
Playing with chemicals
Toys and toxic substances is a dangerous mix. Unfortunately it’s a common one. Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) and ChemSec have worked
together to identify 13 chemicals on the SIN List that could be used in the production of toys. “Harmful substances in toys are a scandal,” says Sonja Haider, coordinator
of WECF’s chemicals group. “At the moment, it is almost impossible for parents to know whether products contain hazardous chemical.”
WECF has launched an ambitious campaign, based on the chemicals on the SIN List, to eliminate hazardous substances in toys, including an on-line signature campaign
for stronger European toys safety legislation and public toys testing events in Munich, Utrecht and Paris.
They have also produced a pocket guide showing which chemicals are likely to be in six types of toys. It was recently presented at the Nuernberg Toys Fair in Germany. The Guide is currently available in German and by March in Dutch, English and French.
SIN Reporter 1, spring 2009.
SIN (Substitute It Now) - a project set up to inspire replacement of hazardous chemicals, and to provoke a quick start of EUs new chemicals legislation, REACH.
