Brussels, 2nd December 1997

This morning the Danish Minister of the Environment, Svend Auken, announced that Denmark will ask the European Commission to prepare an official ban on all hazardous substances that are currently used in toys, PVC toys among others. Greenpeace welcomed the announcement by the Danish Minister, which follows a previous statement (27-November-1997) calling for a Danish ban on toys containing hazardous softeners such as phthalates.

Commenting on this development, Greenpeace spokesperson Jacob Hartmann said "We hope this will send a strong message to other governments that it is time to act to protect children from these hazards".

Denmark is the second European country to begin legal steps to restrict the sale of PVC toys containing phthalates. In November the Austrian Minister of Consumer Affairs, Barbara Prammer, confirmed that her ministry will finalize a draft legal regulation regarding PVC toys by December 12. In October she issued a statement stating that PVC-free toys were desirable.

Recently, four countries have urged the toy industry to take action against soft PVC chewable baby toys. In April, July and October respectively, the Danish, Dutch, Belgian and Philippine governments warned toy retailers, distributors and manufacturers of the potential hazards of soft PVC, and recommended that some or all of these toys be withdrawn from the market. Many retailers have followed this recommendation.

However, the world largest toy retailer, Toys `R US, after having publicly acknowledged the health hazards from PVC toys in Austria, backtracked on its commitments and started selling PVC baby toys again.

"A company like Toys R Us should be taking the lead and removing any products that pose a hazard to children, not waiting for Governments to legislate and force them to act", said Jacob Hartmann. "The PVC and toy industries must take responsibility for the health of babies and children. We demand that soft PVC toys be withdrawn immediately and that PVC be banned from the use in soft toys as a first step".

In September, Greenpeace released analyses of soft PVC toys and found that 71 toys from 17 countries around the world contained 10-40% by weight of hazardous chemicals (softeners called phthalates) (1). Further tests conducted by independent laboratories in the US found that many soft PVC children's products contain high levels of the hazardous metals lead and cadmium (2).

The entire life-cycle of PVC plastic is a polluting process. Its production involves highly toxic additives and generates hazardous chlorinated emissions and wastes. When burned in accidential fires or incinerators, PVC products are a significant source of dioxin and secondary hazardous wastes.

For more information:

- Jacob Hartmann, Greenpeace Denmark, t. +45 33 93 86 60
- Axel Singhofen, Greenpeace European Unit, t. +32 2 280 19 87
- Luisa Colasimone, Greenpeace Communications, t. +31 20 52 49 546

Notes:

1. "Determination of the Composition and Quantities of Phthalate Ester Additives in PVC Children's toys", Greenpeace Research Laboratories, University of Exeter, Department of Biological Sciences, August 1997.

2. "Lead and Cadmium in Vinyl Children's Products. A Greenpeace Report", Joseph Di Gangi, Greenpeace, 1997.