SOFT PVC TOYS REMOVED FROM EUROPEAN COMMISSION NURSERIES WHILE COMMISSION STILL STRUGGLES OVER EU-WIDE BAN

13 May 1998

Brussels -- Greenpeace has learnt that soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC) toys were withdrawn from Brussels nurseries of the European Commission in early February. However, the Commission has so far failed to provide equal protection for all children in the European Union. A proposal for a Europe-wide emergency ban is being prepared by the European Commission, but its adoption has so far been blocked by the industry services of the Commission.

"For the time being, the protection of children from the hazards of soft PVC toys is a privilege only guaranteed to the children of EU officials," said Axel Singhofen of Greenpeace International. "We urge the Commission to extend this protection to all children by banning soft PVC toys for children under three immediately across Europe and not only in European institutions."

Greenpeace was informed by officials responsible for the nurseries that the two Commission-run nurseries in Brussels have been cleared of soft PVC toys for small children. The Commission herewith followed the recommendations of the Belgian authorities "ONE" (1), which oversee the health and safety of all children in public and private day-care centres and kindergardens in the French-speaking part of Belgium.

On 18 December 1997, the president of the College of Pediatrics of' "ONE", Doctor Jean-Marie Dubru sent a letter to all day-nurseries of his organisation requesting them to ensure that teething rings made of soft PVC "be completely kept out of reach of children" (2). He also stated that "it is known that the young child tends to put objects and toys into the mouth and chews on them," and therefore recommended "to watch out that small children play with soft PVC as little as possible."

The hazards of soft PVC toys have been brought to the attention of the Commission more than a year ago by Danish authorities, who recommended the withdrawal of three PVC teething rings which leached softeners known as phthalates.

In the meantime, recommendations for voluntary withdrawals of soft PVC baby toys have also been made by the Dutch, German and Belgian Health Authorities and a legal ban on baby toys containing softeners has been agreed in Austria. In March 1998, the Spanish government requested the Commission to take EU wide legal action against the hazards from soft PVC toys.

In an opinion from 24 April 1998, the EU Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment concluded that PVC teething rings made from PVC leach up to ten times what was considered the acceptable level of phthalates.

"An immediate ban on all soft PVC toys for small children is necessary because these toys represent an unacceptable and unnecessary risk. A ban will be the only possibility to ensure effective protection, all the more since toy manufacturers such as Mattel and Hasbro are not cooperating with health authorities or retailers to remove these products from the market," said Singhofen.

Today, Greenpeace delivered to all EU Commissioners soft PVC baby toys, safely encapsulated in bottles bearing the label "WARNING: This toy is likely to contain and leach hazardous chemicals - it has been withdrawn from European Commission nurseries - but is still being sold in Europe."

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

- Axel Singhofen, Greenpeace International, + 32 2 280 1987
- Madeleine Cobbing, Greenpeace International, +44 1453 753 988
- Luisa Colasimone, Greenpeace Communications, mobile +31 6 53 66 29 70.

(2) The opinion of the Scientific Committee is available on the internet at the following address: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/health/sc/ncomm8/out12_en.html