A recent EU-wide enforcement project, coordinated by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Forum, has revealed alarming levels of hazardous chemicals in consumer products across the European Union. In a striking discovery, approximately 18% of over 2,400 inspected products were found to breach EU chemical laws.
High Non-Compliance Rate in Diverse Product Categories
The project, involving national enforcement authorities from 26 EU countries, focused on a range of consumer goods, with a disturbingly high rate of non-compliance observed across several categories:
- Electrical Devices: A staggering 52% of inspected items, including electrical toys, chargers, cables, and headphones, failed to meet compliance standards. The primary concerns were lead in solders, phthalates in soft plastics, and cadmium in circuit boards.
- Sports Equipment: Items like yoga mats, bicycle gloves, balls, and rubber handles on sports equipment showed an 18% non-compliance rate, with SCCPs, phthalates, and PAHs in rubber and soft plastics being the main culprits.
- Toys: About 16% of non-electric toys, including aquatic toys, dolls, costumes, and play mats, were non-compliant, mainly due to phthalates and other restricted substances such as PAHs, nickel, boron, or nitrosamines.
- Fashion Products: Bags, jewellery, belts, shoes, and clothes made up another significant category, with 15% non-compliance due to hazardous elements like phthalates, lead, and cadmium.
Enforcement Measures and Regional Differences
Upon identifying non-compliant products, inspectors have initiated enforcement measures, predominantly leading to the withdrawal of these products from the market. Notably, the non-compliance rate was markedly higher in products originating outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or those with unknown origins.
Comprehensive Scope of the Project
This extensive project aimed to ensure compliance with EU chemical regulations in various consumer and professional products within the EEA market. It encompassed checks under REACH restrictions, duties related to substances in articles under REACH, POPs restrictions, and restrictions from the Toys and RoHS Directives. These checks were executed throughout 2022 by national authorities across 26 countries.
Call to Action for Stakeholders
Given these findings, it's imperative for stakeholders to rigorously assess and ensure compliance with EU chemical regulations. This includes manufacturers, importers, and retailers, who must prioritise consumer safety by adhering to the established chemical safety standards. Continuous monitoring and adherence to these regulations are not just legal obligations but are essential for safeguarding public health and maintaining trust in the EU market.
