Safety (product safety, chemical substances, nanotechnologies, Ecolabel)
Most consumers are unaware of the risks posed by dangerous substances contained in everyday products such as soaps, toothpaste and shampoo. Those substances may for instance cause allergies, cancer, have hormonal disrupting effects and/or damage the environment. Among these chemicals are nanomaterials which are increasingly being used in consumer products, although the risks they may pose to human health and the environment have never been assessed. A healthy environment and safe products are particularly vital for the most vulnerable consumers such as children and pregnant women.
Unsafe CE marked products continue to be found on the EU market. The high number of RAPEX notifications shows that general and sector-specific product safety legislation ought to be revised in order to adequately cover all risks which may be posed by products. Market surveillance and control activities are not yet sufficient to ensure the highest level of safety possible and the level of enforcement is not yet the same across the EU. Manufacturers’ responsibilities need to be strengthened and clarified.
Concerning products from third countries that are sold in the EU, there is a need for more transparency and more dialogue between the EU and these countries to ensure the safety of imported products.
What are our objectives?
We aim to...
... Improve the general safety of products sold on the EU market as well as the safety of specific consumer products, such as toys, cosmetic products and products for children
... Raise awareness with decision makers of the risks posed by chemical substances on health and the environment
... Minimise the exposure of consumers and the environment to dangerous chemicals in particular from consumer products
... Adequately and urgently address the potential risks posed by nanotechnologies
What is needed?
Consumers will have access to safe(r) products and be less exposed to dangerous chemicals if:
- The RAPEX notification system is made more transparent and effective and legislators are aware of the risks posed by specific consumer products (e.g. child care articles and products which are appealing to children)
- Rules on general product safety are strengthened and well implemented and specific rules for specific products are developed or improved
- Independent third-party testing of the safety of toys is required in specific cases
- Nanotechnologies are adequately regulated and products containing nanomaterials are labelled
- Products are safer and contain less dangerous substances
- The Eco-label ensures high product standards and strict restrictions on the use of dangerous chemicals, in accordance with the precautionary principle
To contact our experts on the issue: safetyteam[AT]beuc.eu*
Find out more in our recent documents
ANEC and BEUC's inventory of products claiming to contain nanoparticules available on the EU Market
Nanotechnology: Small is beautiful but is it safe? – ANEC & BEUC leaflet on nanotechnology and nanomaterials (november 2009) - To print the leaflet click here
Nanotechnology: small is beautiful, but is it safe? BEUC and ANEC’s position paper
Harmful Products in Products you buy: your right to know – a public information leaflet produced with other organisations as part of the Chemicals Health Monitor project
MODEL LETTER: MOST HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES CONTAINED IN CONSUMER PRODUCTS
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