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

8 July 1998

Amsterdam -- 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 Recently, the Argentinean company Artbaby which produces various products for children and babies has withdrawn PVC toys.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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

- Madeleine Cobbing, Greenpeace International, +44 1453 753 988; or
- Thomas Belazzi, Greenpeace Austria +43 1 545 4580 40
- Mika Railo, Press Officer, Greenpeace International +31 20 524 9548