Archived press release

Royal commission hits out at "unacceptable" risks from chemicals

26 June 2003

Friends of the Earth has welcomed today's warning from the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP) on the "unacceptable" risks posed by man-made chemicals and the urgent need for "fundamental reform" to protect people and the environment.

Chemicals in Products [1], published today by RCEP,highlights:

• The inadequacy of the current regulatory system, which "fails to prevent serious risks to human health and the wider environment".

• The lack of understanding of the potential impacts on health and the environment;

• The lack of information on exactly what chemicals are in various products.

The Royal Commission is calling for "immediate" steps to get rid of chemicals which accumulate in breast milk and our bodies, adding its voice to the growing chorus of concerns on the number of synthetic chemicals found in humans [2]. Last week, another government-sponsored body, the Chemicals Stakeholder Forum, published its list of more than 100 "chemicals of concern" [3].

The Royal Commission also called for policies to force hazardous chemicals to be replaced with safer alternatives, a move that Friends of the Earth is urging the EU to adopt, and for imported products to be covered by the legislation. [4].

The report also makes it clear that the UK should press ahead with safeguards "even at the risk of challenges by overseas suppliers" The USA has threatened that such action would breach WTO rules [5].

Friends of the Earth's Chemicals Campaigner, Mary Taylor, said:

"This report highlights the appalling threat that man-made chemicals pose to our health and environment. Every day, people are exposed to synthetic chemicals of doubtful safety in household items. The existing system is hopelessly inadequate, and allows dangerous chemicals to be used in items like TVs, toys, and clothing. The government cannot ignore the alarm bells any longer. Urgent action is needed to protect the most vulnerable members of society from this chemical threat."

Friends of the Earth has been campaigning for more than five years to alert parents to the threat posed by man-made chemicals. Thirteen national retailers have pledged to work with Friends of the Earth [6] to get rid of the most risky chemicals from their products.

Notes

[1] See: www.rcep.org.uk/chemicals.html

[2] Surveys have found around 300 different synthetic chemicals in human bodies. These include chemicals such as brominated flame retardants used to treat textiles and found in electrical equipment; bisphenol A, found in tin can linings, phthalates used in plastics and PVC goods and in cosmetics; and artificial musks used in perfumes and many cleaning products. All of these substances have hormone-like properties and are suspected of interfering with the endocrine systems which control human development. Infants and the unborn are particularly vulnerable, yet they are exposed to these chemicals while in the womb or while feeding. (NB Friends of the Earth still believes that breast-feeding is best because of its benefits to the baby's immune system and its general health).

[3] www.defra.gov.uk/environment/chemicals/csf/concern/index.htm

[4] The European Commission is currently undertaking a consultation exercise on the draft text of a Regulation on chemicals. The Regulation is unlikely to be passed before 2006 and has to be negotiated by the European Parliament and Council. Environmentalists are concerned that the draft does not deliver a consumer right-to-know, sufficient controls on imported products, or the "substitution" principle, and have organized a declaration for individuals and organisations to sign. See www.chemicalreaction.org

[5] United States Non-paper on EU Chemicals Policy

[6] The 13 are: Argos, Body Shop, Boots, B&Q, Co-op, Debenhams, Early Learning Centre, Focus Wickes, Homebase, Ikea, Marks & Spencer, Mothercare and Sainsbury's.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust