FoE Europe - Safer Chemicals

Health threats

Cutting the risk

Safer future

REACH in 2008

REACH Explained
My Voice: A Consumer Guide How you can demand better protection of human health and the environmnent from hazardous chemicals

Navigating REACH
An activists' guide to using and improving the new EU chemicals legislation

More background on REACH

Links to campaign pages across the EU

"Think about REACH while on the BEACH..." - Call to MEPs to think about - and improve - the new chemicals policy over the summer break.
(12 July 2006, European Parliament, Brussels)

"Don't dwarf REACH"- 100 garden gnomes accompanied by Friends of the Earth activists gathered by the European Parliament
(15 November 2005, Strasbourg)

100 gnomes carrying toxic symbols gathered by the European institutions
(04 October 2005, Brussels)

Toxic Ted and participants in our "REACH made easy" seminar (January 2005)

Links

BEUC Chemical Cocktail

Chemical Reaction

European Environmental Bureau

Greenpeace European Unit

HEAL

International Chemical Secretariat

Pesticide Watch

WECF nesting project

WWF EPO

Cutting the risk

There's a lot you can do to reduce your exposure to risky chemicals. We've come up with a list of practical tips for the home - and we're conducting research on the top retailers and manufacturers.

Practical tips in your home

What to watch out for

Painting & Decorating	Many household paints give off dangerous fumes as they dry. Water based paints are better because they contain fewer "volatile organic compounds" (or VOCs). Use water based paints where possible.
Buying Toys	Toys made from PVC plastic can contain softeners called "phthalates" (pronounced thal-lates) which are suspected hormone disrupters. Ask for PVC-free toys in the shop. (By law, new teething toys should now be free from phthalates).
Food	Organic food is produced without using artificial chemical pesticides. Organic food sales are booming and prices are coming down. Explore different organic foods for you and your family.
Bottles & Beakers	Plastic baby bottles, beakers and tableware made from polycarbonate can leak potentially risky chemicals when worn or scratched. Replace battered or scratched plastic utensils with new ones.
Smelling Nicer	Many perfumes and scented products, like air fresheners, contain worrying chemicals (such as "artificial musks"). Most firms keep their Why not cut down on one or two scented products? Open a window instead of spraying air-freshener.

Using your buying power

Did you know, manufacturers and retailers do not have to tell you what chemicals they use in products. In fact, this information is often a closely guarded secret.

Friends of the Earth is fighting to get this changed.

Of course, you shouldn't have to take steps to avoid risky chemicals, they shouldn't be there in the first place. Read our vision of a future with safer chemicals.

Towards a safer future

26 June 2007
EU Parliament's modest crack-down on pesticides

25 May 2007
Too early to celebrate REACH

13 December 2006
REACH: Alive but not kicking

11 December 2006
Insecticides threaten Europe's bees

1 December 2006
REACH - a deal too far

more

Briefings

Notes on the European Commission's proposal to create Multi--National Authorisation Zones under COM

Letters

Open letter to Commissioners Dimas and Verheugen with recommendations for REACH's reviews and for the new Chemicals Agency

Letter to MEPs regarding a cynical advert by CEFIC in the European Voice (November 2006)
Original CEFIC Ad
FoEE spoof of CEFIC ad

more

Navigating REACH: An activists' guide to using and improving the new EU chemicals legislation

My Voice how to demand better protection of human health and the environmnent from hazardous chemicals

REACH Economic Facts and Figures (A briefing by Friends of the Earth Europe, EEB, Greenpeace, Health & Environment Alliance and Women in Europe for a Common Future)

"What did you buy today...?" What we know, what we do not know, and what we ought to know about chemicals in everyday household items (August 2006)

more

To receive a hard copy of any of these publications please contact info@foeeurope.org