Manufacturers must inform about pollutants

Improved customers' right to information about pollutants in products

05.01.2013

Since the beginning of the year, manufacturers have had to provide significantly more comprehensive information on the pollutants in their products in accordance with the European chemicals regulation REACH. The stricter provisions apply, for example, to „four perfluorinated chemicals that are used, among other things, for outdoor clothing because of their water-repellent properties“, the Federal Environment Agency reports in a recent press release. A total of 54 new chemicals were added at the beginning of the year to the list of pollutants manufacturers have to inform consumers on demand.

In the past, pollutants in various products - from textiles to children's toys - have repeatedly caused a sensation. In many cases, consumer and environmental protection organizations have been able to prove the burden of hazardous chemicals. Although, since 2007, manufacturers have been required by EU legislation to provide customer information on certain contained chemicals, but the list of pollutants at source was initially not particularly extensive. Since then, a number of new potentially harmful substances have been added over the years, and at the beginning of 2013, the number of listed pollutants increased by a further 54 to a total of 136. Consumers are therefore granted a much more extensive right to information, but probably the least before ordering a corresponding request addressed to the manufacturer.

Which pollutants are included, for example, in rain jackets, children's toys, pans and pans, is not visible to consumers when shopping. A kind of list of ingredients, as is usual with food, the customers look in vain. However, it is possible to contact manufacturers with a request to obtain information on the chemicals used. According to the European chemicals regulation REACH manufacturers are obliged to inform consumers at least about certain potentially contained pollutants. In order to improve the customer's information potential, the list of chemicals requiring information has now been significantly expanded. For example, the stricter regulations apply from now on „for four perfluorinated chemicals that are used, among other things, for outdoor clothing because of their water-repellent properties“, reports the Federal Environment Agency.

Harmful pollutants in a wide variety of products
The so-called perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFC) are also used as non-stick coatings for cookware (pans, pots) and in paper products due to their water, dirt and grease repellent properties, reports the Federal Environment Agency. As PFCs are naturally mined only very slowly, they accumulate in all environmental media, especially in rivers and seas. In addition, there is an enrichment along the food chain, which leads to the PFC can also be detected in blood and breast milk of humans and animals, according to the Communication of the Federal Environmental Agency. Because of their potential danger now „four are classified as Substances of Very High Concern and included as such in the REACH Candidate List“ Service. In addition, besides the „four PFC also nonylphenol and the group of octylphenol ethoxylates“ because of their hormonal effect on the candidate list, reports the Federal Environment Agency. In addition, some phthalates, which may be included as plasticisers in plastic toys or electric cables, have been added to the REACH candidate list. For the chemicals on the list, manufacturers are required to provide information when used as soon as they account for 0.1% of the product.

Right to information for consumers about harmful chemicals
Be included on the REACH candidate list, according to the Federal Environmental Agency „Substances with carcinogenic, mutagenic or reproductive properties; Substances that are long-lived and toxic and that accumulate in organisms and - after a case-by-case decision - substances that affect the hormone system.“ As soon as a chemical is added to the list, the „Consumers have a right to information“, obligates manufacturers, importers and distributors to inquire on demand whether the substance is contained in a product. If there are any suspicions that products contain chemicals that are harmful to health, a request can be made orally, by post or by e-mail. „The easiest way to do this is online with a form “, reports the Federal Environment Agency. Here you can send inquiries to the manufacturer of the product by entering the article number.

A lot to do to protect the environment and humans from harmful chemicals
Within 45 days, manufacturers must respond to the consumer inquiry and inform them of possible contained pollutants. However, if no chemicals of the candidate list are included in the products, there is no legal response to the customer. If consumers are satisfied that no response has been received, even though chemicals are included in the candidate list, it is possible to report this to a competent control authority after the expiry of the 45-day deadline, with the authority always being responsible in the producer's country. According to the Federal Environment Agency it is „The aim of the REACH Regulation is to gradually replace these substances with appropriate alternative substances or technologies.“ Also, listed substances could be subject to a licensing requirement so that they can only be marketed and used after prior regulatory approval, the Authority explained the benefits of the REACH Candidate List. The President of the Federal Environment Agency added: „Much remains to be done in future to protect the environment and man from the harmful effects of chemicals.“ The Member States, the European Commission and ECHA are endeavoring to supplement the list of candidates on an ongoing basis and „bring all relevant substances of very high concern to the candidate list by 2020.“

However, the question arises as to how effective the current regulations actually are. Because the proportion of consumers who send a request to the companies, experience has shown that it will be rather small. (Fp)

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Picture: Alexander Dreher