ANEC (European Association for the Co-ordination of Consumer Representation in Standardisation) has published a position paper pushing for better EU regulation of chemicals in consumer products. The association emphasises that REACH fails to address the issue of chemicals in “articles” (pinfa note: REACH regulates chemicals in articles produced in Europe, but effectively not imports). ANEC particularly target: materials in contact with food and drinking water, emissions to indoor air, clothing and textiles, toys, children’s articles, tattoo inks and nanomaterials.
The association notes that concerns about flame retardants “have effectively blocked the establishment of flammability requirements … despite the fact that … several million fires are reported per year, resulting in at least 5.000 fire deaths and fire injuries. The full figure for Europe is probably a multiple of this figure every year”. ANEC suggests that “This can probably be overcome only if flammability requirements are linked to an approval system for flame retardants to ensure that only safe chemicals are used”, identifying clothing, toys and electrical & electronic equipment as key areas of importance for safety of flame retardants.
ANEC (European Association for the Co-ordination of Consumer Representation in Standardisation), Position paper “Hazardous chemicals in products. The need for enhanced EU regulations” www.anec.eu/attachments/ANEC-PT-2014-CEG-002.pdf