"In two areas a special precaution is justified, because the use of products with phthalates could result in people on a daily basis consuming phthalates even if it is in small amounts: That is products in contact with foodstuffs and teether-toys for babies. Here it is justified - as is the case in Denmark - using the utmost precaution, to ban the use of phthalates. Not because the amounts that are released are harmful but mereley because they are there". Facts about PVC and phthalates, (8. Phthalates and health risks - Precaution) Nov. 1999, by PVC Information Council, Denmark, Plastic Industry of Denmark & Danish Industry.


"The issue (phthalates in soft PVC toys) has been dealt with at high level before and I am determined to have a second bite at the cherry.", the new EU Commissioner of Consumer Protection and Health, David Byrne, before a hearing of the Environment Committee of the European Parliament September 2-3 1999.

"Even if a test method has been validated, we still do not think this is the right way to proceed. We know that phthalates can migrate [into saliva] and think that testing to establish precise levels would be too expensive and complicated for the authorities to oversee." Swedish Environment Ministry spokesperson, ENDS Daily 'Sweden confirms ban on phthalates in toys' ENDS Daily, June 14 '99

"If we lose the battle on toys then that would be disappointing; but if we win on the science then that would be important for other applications. If we gave up, even by saying that [we would phase out phthalates in toys] in response to public opinion then that would have huge implications not just for other applications of phthalates but also for the whole use of chemicals." David Cadogan, the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates (ECPI) 'EU phthalate makers stand by their product' ENDS Daily - April 19 '99.

''This is just more of the usual Greenpeace scare tactics, vinyl toys are absolutely safe.'' David Miller, president of the Toy Manufacturers of America. 'Report criticizes use of vinyl additive in toys' Beth Gardiner, Associated Press, February 5 '99

"A child is about as likely to be seized by evil spirits in the Teletubby doll he's chewing as he is to absorb enough diisononyl phthalate to create health problems. That should have ended the matter.... [But] the CPSC appears culturally incapable of saying no to Greenpeace." Reason magazine editor Virginia Postrel, Forbes; January 25 1999; pg. 81;

"I have just written to all the Commissioners who are part of the Task Force for Health and Safety in order that we discuss as soon as possible in the light of this new advance from the scientific point of view and market point of view, because I really think that the new events across Europe, in the US and Canada - the new scientific advice - are further signs of the fact that really we should go towards a ban on some specific toys and childcare articles." Emma Bonino, EU Commissioner for Consumer Protection and Health, You & Yours, BBC Radio 4, 21 January 1999.

"I have made it clear that the Departments of Commerce and State should refrain from any actions to discourage individual countries, whether in the European Union or elsewhere, from implementing precautionary measures they deem appropriate to restrict the marketing or use of products containing phthalate[s]". US Vice President Gore (on behalf of President Clinton) , letter to 28 members of the US Congress, December 21 1998.

"We're not defending teething rings…..phthalates are irreplaceable for some toys and especially fashion dolls". Maurtis Bruggink of the Toys Industries of Europe (TIE), ENDS Daily, 25 September 1998.

"…This lack of a solid analytical method justifies a ban on toys made of soft PVC. This is something that can no longer be ignored by industry." Dutch Consumer Union, Press Release, 21 September 1998

"I think the day will come when we will look at a requirement for toys that contain high levels of phthalates.... we will see these products removed from sale." Dr. Richard Jackson of the Center for Disease Control, US government agency, National Public Radio, July 1998.

"They [Mattel] had better prepare themselves for a ban. I don't care if it is Danish, American or Hong Kong toy producers. It can't be right that children should run a health risk by playing with toys." Svend Auken, Danish Environment Minister, Berlingske Tidende, June 5, 1998, commenting on the news that Mattel is lobbying to obstruct an European wide ban on soft PVC toys.

"Given these considerations and the possible enhanced sensitivity of young children to the effects of phthalates, the EU Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment concluded that that low margin of safety for DINP [in PVC toys] gives reason for concern." EU SCTEE, April 24, 1998

"I take this occasion to inform you that I intend to submit to the College in the near future, a proposal for a Commission decision concerning a ban on the use of certain phthalates in articles and toys for children under 3 years, as I consider it necessary to apply the precautionary principle to protect a sensitive group of the population, in particular taking into account the uncertainty concerning the inadequacy of current toxicological evaluations in relation to infants and young children." EU Consumer Commissioner Emma Bonino, in a letter to the Toy Industries of Europe, April 23, 1998.

"BEUC therefore asks you to ensure that the Commission takes immediate temporary measures, under Article 9 of the General Product Safety Directive, for the ban of all soft PVC toys intended for, or likely to be used by, children under the age of 3 which contain phthalates." Bureau Europeen des Unions de Consommateurs, April 9, 1998 in a letter to the EU Consumer Commissioner, Emma Bonino.

"….it would be highly desirable for industry to voluntarily refrain completely from selling teething rings and other baby toys made of soft PVC." Werner Siebenpfeiffer, Head of Dept. for Consumer Protection and Veterinary Medicine, German Federal Ministry of Health, January 15, 1998.

"The BgVV recommends to parents not to buy toys made of soft PVC for children up to three years of age, since, in any particular case, it cannot be said with certainty that these products are safe with regard to health." German Federal Institute for the Protection of Consumer Health and Veterinary Medicine, BgVV, December 12, 1997.

" ... I am urging you to no longer market toys for babies which contain PVC which has been softened. In addition, I would ask you to give serious consideration to a voluntary recall of the PVC toys with a high phthalate content which were investigated by my inspectorate, so that the confidence of the consumer in the safety of toys is not shaken." Dr. F. Schuring, Dutch Chief Inspector of Public Consumer Health Protection, July 16, 1997 in a letter to toy importers and distributors.

"We also know that phthalates are carcinogens ... certain phthalates can cause cancer. On the other hand, we don't have good evidence of human health effects of phthalates so we are left with a situation in which we are exposing children to risks of hazardous chemicals without the evidence of which particular diseases are caused." Dr. Michael McCally, Director of Community Medicine, Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York, USA, June 1997.

" When it comes to phthalates in toys for smaller children, I will now ask the EPA to prepare a law proposal for a ban. Ever since the problem with the phthalates surfaced, the industry has made enormous efforts to dismiss all problems instead of developing more healthy and environmentally friendly materials. It is time to act." Svend Auken, Danish Environment Minister, November, 1997.

"One of the chemicals that we found in highest concentration in the toys is DINP. When we buy if for use in the laboratory it comes labeled with AVOID CONTACT and accompanied with detailed information on how to handle the chemical. It's a very hazardous chemical, it's certainly not something we would want to put anywhere near our mouth. When we buy this toy in the shop and you can buy it from any toyshop, the label here says NON TOXIC and yet this toy contains up to 40% weight of this very hazardous chemical and the parent really has no information on that." Dr. David Santillo, Greenpeace International, Exeter University, May 1997.

"It is unacceptable that our children are exposed to chemicals in such quantities - especially when they are so young." Lars Carlsen, Danish Environmental Investigations Research Chief, Det Fri Aktuelt, April 19, 1997.

"If it is a PVC teething ring and the softener is a phthalate, I would not do it (give her child a teething ring). Some of the phthalates are suspected as carcinogens, others of damaging testicles and thereby reducing the ability to produce sperm. So I would not do it." Lisbet Seedorff, Danish EPA, February 1997, TV 2 Denmark.