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Almost a third of the plastic products tested on the Serbian market contain a higher amount of phthalates, a dangerous substance that is harmful to human health and is banned in European Union (EU) countries above a concentration of 0, 1 percent on consumer products, according to the latest research.
Phthalates have been found in soft plastic products like school bags, backpacks, raincoats, children’s slippers, PVC plastic bags, artificial leather, PVC tarpaulins, PVC wallpaper, and car mats.
These worrying results were obtained within the joint investigation of the Alternatives for Safer Chemicals organization – ALHem and the Czech association Arnika, as well as six partner civil society organizations from Serbia.
36 products were tested that were bought in well-known stores, and they are national or European manufacturers. Out of a total of 36 products tested, an increase in phthalate was found in 10.
“ALHem has repeatedly warned the public about the increased presence of phthalates and substances that fall into the SVHC category, the so-called ‘substances of concern’ in general use articles. The purpose of this research, as well as the warnings above , it is better consumer protection in emergency situations. ban on the presence of phthalates and other dangerous substances whose presence in products is prohibited in the EU. Even now, traders and manufacturers are obliged to inform the consumer if their product contains substances SVHC. This consumer right is based on the RS Chemicals Act and the European REACH regulation. ” , is stated in the advertisement of that organization.
It was emphasized that consumers themselves can ask manufacturers and traders for information on whether their product contains some of these substances, using the Scan4Chem app, which ALHem previously presented to the public in Serbia. With this app, consumers can check whether certain products contain SVHC substances or require manufacturers to make that information publicly available.
The application, it is added, has had a good response from the public in Serbia, several thousand citizens use it and, thanks to that, some manufacturers and traders have entered data on the composition of their products.
“ALHem and its partners strongly encourage citizens to use this app and therefore pressure manufacturers and traders to make product composition data public,” the statement said.
Speaking about research on the presence of phthalates in soft plastic products, ALHem’s Valentina Mart says:
“It is worrying that phthalates have been found in products primarily intended for children and young people. Additionally, the four phthalates tested were detected in raw materials such as PVC materials and artificial leather where consumer exposure can be significant.”
He also explained that, as part of the investigation, producers and traders whose products had more than 0.1 percent phthalates were sent information about it, but did not receive a response from anyone.
“By pointing out the existence of harmful phthalates in everyday products, and thus by pressuring consumers to obtain this information, companies will be motivated to replace these chemicals with safer alternatives,” says Karolina Brabcova of the Czech organization Arnica.
In order to encourage consumers in Serbia to know the composition of the products they buy, ALHem has launched a campaign “Buy what you want, without substances you do not want” in which, through various channels, it will invite Citizens to use the Scan4Chem application from manufacturers and retailers must provide information on the composition of the products they sell.
Substances of concern (SVHC)
The safety of products intended for general use is also affected by whether they contain so-called substances of concern. (eng. substances of very high concern – SVHC). These substances can be found in various everyday products.
SEPs are substances that can be carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic for reproduction, persistent (long-term, slowly degrading in the environment), bioaccumulative (accumulated in living organisms).
This group also includes substances that interfere with the endocrine system (so-called endocrine disruptors).
The SVHC list is available on the website of the European Chemicals Agency and the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Republic of Serbia on the page of the Information Desk for Chemicals and Biocides, in the section Consumers.
You can find more information about these substances on the ALHem website.
Phthalates
Phthalates are substances of concern and can be found in the plastic parts of various products intended for general use, but also in PVC floors, cables, hoses and coated fabrics, and even in book covers.
That is, phthalates are added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) -based plastics as additives to soften and reduce brittleness, but they do not bind to the polymer and are gradually released from products made of PVC material, and on contact with products that contain them can expose users. harmful effects of these substances.
Companies that manufacture or import products that contain these substances in a concentration greater than 0.1% by weight of the product are legally obliged to inform all suppliers in the supply chain about the presence of this substance in the product and how to use it. in a safe way.
They must also inform consumers when they request this information. In the European Union, as well as in the Republic of Serbia, the following groups of phthalates are prohibited in toys and child care products: DEHP, DBP and BBP, as well as DINP, DIDP and DNOP.
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