Archived press release

Major retailers pledge to take action on risky chemicals

27 July 2002

Major high street retailers Boots, Marks & Spencer, the Co-op, B&Q, and the Early Learning Centre have backed Friends of the Earth's risky chemicals pledge, challenging other stores to phase out risky chemicals from the products they sell. The pledges come as Friends of the Earth safer chemicals mascot, Toxic Ted, embarks on a nationwide tour [1].

Toxic Ted - a 7ft high cuddly teddy bear - is visiting high streets around the country to raise awareness of the risks posed by chemicals in everyday items, from pesticides in fruit and veg, to phthalates in plastics, cosmetics and toys. The safer chemicals mascot will be handing out pledge cards to shoppers, asking retailers to commit to phase out risky chemicals from the products they sell.

Many of the chemicals currently used in everyday products have not been adequately tested for safety [2] and studies have raised concerns about possible links to testicular cancer, the early onset of puberty in girls and behavioural disorders. Unborn children, babies and toddlers are particularly vulnerable to chemical effects [3].

The pledge card calls on retailers to identify which of their products contain man-made chemicals which are known or suspected of building up in people's bodies or of interfering with the hormone, immune or nervous systems; and aim to phase these chemicals out within five years [4]. Friends of the Earth has written to leading retailers inviting them to sign the pledge [5]. Five stores have currently signed up.

Clare Oxborrow, Safer Chemicals Campaigner for Friends of the Earth, said:
"We are delighted that these five retailers have signed our risky chemicals pledge. We want all retailers to recognise that it is their responsibility to ensure that the products they sell are as safe as possible. That is why Toxic Ted will be out on the streets raising awareness of the risks posed by these chemicals - and encouraging all the major high street retailers to take action to keep their customers safe."

David Croft, Head of Quality & Consumer Care for the Co-op, said:
"Following on from our strong policies that are delivering improved and reduced pesticide use, the Co-operative Group is committed to applying the same precautionary principle and controls to those chemicals that may have long term and adverse effects on health and the environment; chemicals that can be present in a wide range of food and grocery products. We welcome this initiative by Friends of the Earth, and call on other retailers and manufacturers to support it."

Mike Barry, Environmental Systems Manager at Marks & Spencer said:
"Every one of the 30,000 products lines that Marks & Spencer sells is dependent on the use of chemicals. In addition, looking into the future, chemicals have the potential to play a significant role in making our society more sustainable. However, both the current benefits and future potential of chemistry is being put at a risk by the use of a small number of chemicals that may have a long term adverse impact on the environment. We are committed to phasing out the use of any such chemicals in our product ranges and are pleased to be able to communicate this commitment by signing FOE's Pledge."

Fiona Davis, Brand Director at the Early Learning Centre, said:
"We are happy to sign up to Friends of the Earth's Risky Chemicals Retailer Pledge and believe this to be an important undertaking as a children's retailer. The pledge makes clear that ELC, as manufacturers and retailers, need to consider the implications of chemicals used in production and to begin working towards eradication of these chemicals. We believe this undertaking shows a commitment to our customers, our business and the environment generally and this is an important part of what our brand stands for."

Ray Baker, Head of Social Responsibility at B&Q, said:
"As a responsible retailer, B&Q is committed to understanding and managing chemical issues across its product range, to fulfil the needs of our customers and to meet the challenges of a more sustainable future".

Notes

1. Toxic Ted's Tour, which coincides with a major EU review of chemical regulation, starts on Saturday 27th July when he will be in Wimbledon, London, before travelling to Chester, Bolton, Leicester, Bishop Stortford, Walsall and Belfast - with further locations to follow. Full details from the press office at Friends of the Earth. Visit the Toxic Ted web-site at www.foe.co.uk/toxic_ted/
2. 86% of the highest production volume chemicals (marketed at > 1000 tonnes per year in Europe) have no basic safety data available to the public (excluding pesticides). Pesticides are tested individually, but we are exposed to a cocktail of different chemicals in our food, and no testing allows for this fact. Pesticides are also not tested for hormone disrupting effects.
3. See Chemicals and Health briefing:
   www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/safer_chemicals/resource/media.html
   Into the mouths of Babes:
   www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/real_food/resource/general_readers.html
4. Friends of the Earth's Safer Chemicals pledge reads:
   As a regular customer of yours, I am concerned that my family and I are being exposed to risky chemicals in the products we buy from you. We do not want to be exposed to chemicals that will contaminate our bodies or interfere with our hormone, immune or nervous systems. Will you pledge to identify and eliminate these chemicals from the products I buy?
   

   A responsible retailer would:

   • Using official lists, identify which man-made chemicals are suspected of building up in people's bodies (bioaccumulation), or interfering with the hormone, immune or nervous systems.
   • Produce a strategy to identify which of its own brand and branded products, including fruit and vegetables, contain these chemicals.
   • Produce a timeline to phase out these chemicals from its own-brand products, with the aim of eliminating them in 5 years, starting with those chemicals which pose the greatest threat.
   • Put pressure on manufacturers of branded products to do the same.
   • Report publicly on progress on an annual basis.
5. Friends of the Earth contacted the following retailers, inviting them to sign the pledge:
   Ikea, Body Shop, Co-op, Marks & Spencer, B&Q, Early Learning Centre, Mothercare, Homebase, Debenhams, Argos, Sainsbury's, Boots, Iceland, Safeway, Superdug, Waitrose, Woolworths, John Lewis, Tesco, Hamleys, Focus, BHS, Somerfield/Kwik Save, Asda, Morrisons, Toys 'R' Us, Toymaster.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust