GP Welcomes Austrian Ban On Additives in PVC Toys

["greenbase" <greenbas@gb.greenpeace.org>]

GREENPEACE WELCOMES AUSTRIAN BAN ON ADDITIVES IN PVC TOYS
Denmark, Sweden  and Spain may follow

Amsterdam, 8 July 1998 -- Greenpeace gave a cautious welcome
today to the news that Austria is to implement a ban on
phthalates in certain soft PVC toys. The consultation period on
the draft law ended yesterday (Tuesday), leaving no further
obstacles to putting the ban into practice. This follows swiftly
on last week's recommendation by the European Commission that
Member States take appropriate measures nationally to ensure
that children's health is protected. 

"This should send a signal to other Member States to act on the
Commission's recommendation" said Madeleine Cobbing, of
Greenpeace International. However Austria's ban has been
weakened following input from several member states. Instead of
banning all softener-containing toys for children under three,
the ban is likely to cover soft PVC toys containing phthalates
only.

"While Greenpeace welcomes the Austrian ban, it still leaves the
gates open for PVC producers to replace phthalates with other
hazardous additives," said Cobbing. "PVC is a poisonous plastic
-- replacing phthalates won't solve that problem."

There are strong signs that four or more Member States are ready
to follow with their own legislation. In Denmark, the Minister
for Environment and Energy, Svend Auken told the press last week
that there will be a ban on phthalates in toys by November .

In May, the Swedish government proposed a ban on softeners in
toys for children under three. The Bill is due to be voted on in
Parliament in the autumn. Germany announced in January that it
would consider taking national action if EU measures fail. And
in Spain the findings of  an expert commission will be discussed
in September before the government adopts its final position.

"Greenpeace maintains that children who come into contact with
soft PVC toys are being directly and unnecessarily exposed to
hazardous substances," said Madeleine Cobbing,  "We can't afford
to wait for the long term impacts on the health of our children,
before taking action to remove these hazards from their mouths".

In addition to EU Member States, several companies are taking
precautionary action.  Recently, the Argentinean company Artbaby
which produces various products for children and babies has
withdrawn PVC toys. Several German toy companies have now
replaced their PVC toys with alternatives, labeling them clearly
as `PVC-free'.  Others, like Lego, are eliminating soft PVC toys
from their product line. 

The entire life cycle of PVC plastic is a polluting process. Its
production involves highly toxic chemicals and generates
hazardous emissions and wastes. When burned in accidental fires
or waste incinerators, PVC is a significant source of dioxin and
other hazardous wastes.

ends

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