Archived press release

Mothercare joins retailers tackling risky chemicals

5 December 2002

But Friends of the Earth demands government action

Friends of the Earth’s Safer Chemicals mascot Toxic Ted today claimed a victory as Mothercare became the latest leading retailer to back Friends of the Earth’s pledge to phase out risky chemicals from their products. The news came as the Government prepares to publish the UK’s position on new European chemicals legislation. Toxic Ted is touring high street stores around the country to raise awareness about the risks posed by man-made chemicals in everyday products.

As a top retailer of baby and children’s products, Mothercare’s pledge is good news for concerned parents, as unborn babies, babies and toddlers are most vulnerable to the effects of risky chemicals because their bodies are still developing. Friends of the Earth is campaigning for safer chemicals in everyday products because many of the chemicals currently used have not been properly tested. Studies have raised concerns about possible links to testicular cancer, the early onset of puberty in girls and behavioural disorders [1].

Since the launch of the Toxic Ted tour at the end of July, a total of six retailers have backed the pledge, joining the five who signed up initially [2], sending a strong message of support to the Government on the need for stronger regulation. The Government is expected to publish its position on the new EU chemicals legislation before the end of the year [3] and Friends of the Earth is calling on Ministers to recommend that chemicals that build up in the body and disrupt the hormone system should be phased out of consumer products.

Clare Oxborrow, Safer Chemicals Campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:
“Mothercare’s decision to join other retailers in signing Friends of the Earth’s risky chemicals pledge is good news for consumers who want to buy products free from health-threatening chemicals. But the Government must also show they put people’s health first, and support retailers who want to take action to protect their customers. Friends of the Earth wants to see support for tough measures in new EU chemicals law, including support for phasing out chemicals that build up in people’s bodies.”

John Anson, Product Technologist at Mothercare said:
"Mothercare is committed to bringing safe, good value products to the marketplace, and protecting our customers, the people making our products, and the environment. Signing this pledge is consistent with our own policies for targeting risky chemicals, and serves to reinforce this commitment."

Notes

1. Chemicals and Health press briefing: www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/chemicals_and_health.pdf

2. Mothercare, the Body Shop, Ikea, Homebase, Debenhams and Argos have signed the pledge since its launch on 27 July. Marks & Spencer, the Co-op, Boots, B&Q and the Early Learning Centre had signed up at the time of the launch.

Retailers who have been invited to sign the pledge but have not yet done so are: Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Safeway, Somerfield/Kwik Save, Iceland, Waitrose, Morrisons, Woolworths, Superdug, John Lewis, Hamleys, Focus, BHS, Toys 'R' Us and Toymaster.

Friends of the Earth’s Risky 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.

3. Political Battles press briefing:
www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/political_battle_regulation.pdf

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust