GREENPEACE GRADES INDUSTRY EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE RISKY PVC TOYS

18 March 1999

Tokyo -- Major international toy manufacturers are still foot-dragging in eliminating polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in children's products despite growing international opposition, revealed a Greenpeace report card released today on the opening day of the Tokyo Toy Fair. Greenpeace hung a 20-meter banner on the Tokyo Big Sight building urging more than 150 companies partaking in the Fair to go PVC-free.

"We are happy to announce that more than half of the companies surveyed have taken definitive steps to eliminate PVC from children's products," said Ayako Sekine of Greenpeace Japan. " But the unfortunate fact is that the some of the largest worldwide toy manufacturers have failed miserably and seem determined to continue the use of PVC, putting children unneccessarily at risk."

Among the worst companies evaluated were US companies Hasbro, Disney, Warner Brothers and Safety First and Japanese Tomy and Bandai. Some of these companies refused to provide information or made minimal changes, while others used the standard statements on the safety of their products.

Among the star students of the toy industry that have already agreed to phase out PVC toys are Lego (Denmark), Chicco (Italy), Playmobil (Germany), Aprica Kassai (Japan), Sassy and First Years (US), Ambitoys and Ravensburger (Netherlands).

International toy giants Mattel (US) and Brio (Sweden) ranked in the middle since they have decided to phase out potentially carcinogenic chemicals know as phthalates in some of their toys for children under three years.

"Without a worldwide commitment from the toy industry to eliminate PVC products, consumers in many countries will not be protected from the hazards of soft PVC toys," said Sekine. "Greenpeace is providing this information to assist parents in avoiding hazardous PVC toys. It is consumers' right to know whether the products they purchase are made from soft PVC."

Recently Italy and Finland joined a growing group of countries that have taken step to phase out phthalates in soft PVC toys. Already Denmark, Austria, Sweden, Greece, Norway and Mexico have restrictions in place or in progress. In addition, the US, Canada, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Belgium and Germany have asked for voluntary action by toy companies to eliminate PVC or phthalate containing products from the marketplace.

Soft PVC toys came under scrutiny around the world in 1997 when Greenpeace analyzed teethers, rattles and other children's products. The results showed that these products contained toxic additives from 10 to 40 per cent of their weight. These additives, known as phthalates, are used to soften PVC and have been linked to cancers and liver and kidney damage in laboratory animals.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
- Ayako Sekine, Greenpeace campaigner in Tokyo, +81.3.5351 5413
- Noriko Oyama Greenpeace press officer in Tokyo, mobile: +81.90.3470 7884
- Mika Railo, Greenpeace International Press Desk, Amsterdam, +31.20.524 9548
- Axel Singhofen, Greenpeace Political Advisor, Brussels, +32.2.280 1987