Hazardous chemicals in consumer products are posing an avoidable health risks to consumers, and to workers who are exposed to them within the supply chain, including waste handling. Chemicals of concern include toxic flame retardants, phthalates, vinyl chloride, dioxin, mercury, lead, pesticides and many other hazardous pollutants and known carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive and development toxicants and endocrine disrupting chemicals. HEJSupport Co-Director Olga Speranskaya is active in the steering committee of the SAICM chemicals in products programme and the UN Environemt 10 YFP on Sustainable Consumption and Production. Alexandra Caterbow, Co-Director of HEJSupport, is the NGO representative in the chemicals working group of the German Textile Alliance. HEJSupport advocates for toxic-free products, and the implementation of the right to know and the precautionary principle.
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BRS COPs Side event on transparency and traceability of chemicals in products 26.03.2025 - Join us at the side event "Chemical transparency information and its traceability in products and stockpiles, with a focus on POPs and chemicals in plastics"… ... Read More
Protest against chemical industry lobbying 30.01.2025 - Together with nine other organistions HEJSupport protested in front of the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) building against their disgusting lobbying activities on PFAS.Research of… ... Read More
NGOs fordern Schutz vor PFAS von Bundesregierung 24.01.2025 - Vergangene Woche hat das #ForeverLobbying Project enthüllt, mit welchen Argumenten und Methoden verschiedene Unternehmen versuchen, ein Verbot der schädlichen #PFAS-Chemikalien zu verhindern. Nun wenden wir… ... Read More
Letter to Ursula von der Leyen – Ban PFAS 22.01.2025 - Letter to Ursula von der Leyen – It’s time to end “the worst pollution crisis in human history”: Ban PFAS A coalition of 94 European… ... Read More
NGOs Call for Inclusion of Plastics and Polymers in the ESPR 16.01.2025 - HEJSupport has co-signed a joint NGO letter urging the European Commission to prioritize the plastics and polymers sector in the first Working Plan of the… ... Read More
270+ organisations demand strict chemical regulations from EU Commission 13.01.2025 - EU Competitiveness Compass must safeguard social and environmental protections Download letter More than 270 civil society organisations, including HEJSupport, trade unions, consumer groups, farmers organisations,… ... Read More
Global Framework on Chemicals: assessment and clarification of indicators with the focus on targets for information generation for chemicals 25.07.2024 - Suggested new indicators for targets B2 and B3 will help identify success and failure in achieving the objectives of information sharing about chemicals in materials… ... Read More
Main outcomes of INC 4 on Plastics Treaty 06.05.2024 - The primary outcome of IINC 4 discussion was the decision to hold two intersessional meetings between now and INC5 ... Read More
Decoding Green Practices in Product Communication 07.03.2024 - In the presentation, HEJSupport explains what the Global Minimum Transparency System is and how it can help companies provide accurate information about chemicals in materials… ... Read More
Sign the petition for a Toxic-free Europe now! 29.02.2024 - Join in and sign this important petition for a toxic-free Europe! ... Read More
Globally harmonized requirements for transparency and traceability of chemical information in plastic materials and products in the Plastic Treaty 30.05.2023 - A transparency mechanism, with a traceability requirement, will ensure that the disclosed information is linked to individual materials and products, and can be tracked throughout… ... Read More
Potential options for elements towards an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution 26.04.2023 - The new plastic treaty has a potential to become the first global agreement that includes harmonized legally binding transparency requirements for information on chemicals and… ... Read More
Guidelines for Providing Product Sustainability Information 13.12.2022 - A global guidance on making effective environmental, social and economic claims to facilitate the empowerment of consumers ... Read More
Canada’s voice: towards an ambitious new legally binding global agreement on plastic pollution 31.10.2022 - Canada's online survey about the global plastics treaty ... Read More
Chemical transparency is an essential tool to increase the effectiveness of the Basel Convention 12.06.2022 - Chemical transparency is needed to ensure the effectiveness of the Basel Convention implementation. ... Read More
Global minimum transparency standard (GMTS) for hazardous chemicals in products – A tool for the protection of human health and the environment from toxic exposure 12.06.2022 - The GMTS is a step towards global safety of human health and the environment and stricter regulation or even a complete phase-out of hazardous chemicals. ... Read More
Mandatory Transparency Standard for Chemicals in Plastic Materials and Waste 31.05.2022 - Including a mandatory transparency standard for the monomers used to formulate the plastics and the additives from the very beginning will pave the way to… ... Read More
Plastic Treaty Coalition Discussed the Priority Themes for the Future Plastic Treaty 30.04.2022 - Adding the theme of transparency for plastic chemicals to the work of INC will facilitate its inclusion into the text of the future binding instrument… ... Read More
Global Minimum Transparency Standard (GMTS) for hazardous chemicals in products – a tool for the protection of human health and the environment 14.03.2022 - GMTS is a keystone tool for achieving sustainable natural resource management and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals ... Read More
Join our hybrid UNEA Side Event: The Global Minimum Transparency Standard for hazardous chemicals in products 24.02.2022 - This side event introduces the concept of the Global Minimum Transparency Standard for Hazardous Chemicals in products. ... Read More
Chemicals and waste issues at UNEA 5.2 08.02.2022 - Have a look at our submissions and recommendations on draft resolutions in the chemicals and waste cluster. ... Read More
The PFAS problem, the ‘Forever Chemicals’, is not on the public radar in Canada. But it should be. 20.11.2021 - Most Canadians have no idea they probably have PFAS chemicals (Per- and Polyfluoroalkly Substances) in their bodies, nor understand how they got exposed. ... Read More
Session on Global Minimum Transparency Standard at “Tomorrow without Toxics” Conference 19.11.2021 - HEJSupport jointly with SSNC and groundWork, is hosting a Session on the Global Minimum Transparency Standard (GMTS) at the "Tomorrow without Toxics" Conference. Please, join… ... Read More
Toys should be fun and not toxic – Revision of the EU Toy Safety Directive 29.10.2021 - Read our submission to the EU Commission on the revision of the EU Toy Safety Directive. ... Read More
NGOs urge Canada to complete the assessment of PFAS in one year 21.07.2021 - It is not sufficient to simply focus on data collection by expanding the monitoring of PFAS in the environment – the efforts on PFAS must… ... Read More
Chemicals in Products Community of Practice 2021: discussion on chemicals in toys 05.07.2021 - Toxic chemicals in toys can be released into the environment causing pollution and affecting health. Read more about challenges in disclosing chemicals of concern in… ... Read More
Sustainable Fashion – everything you need to know about your clothes 01.07.2021 - HEJSupport new on-line information resource on sustainability related topics in the textile and fashion industry provides a platform for progressive voices willing to share their… ... Read More
Changing the way we use chemicals: what women should know to protect themselves 19.06.2021 - In May 2021, HEJSupport was an invited scholar to speak at the Caribbean Poison Prevention Week webinar on "Gender and Chemicals". ... Read More
NGO Comments on the draft of Canada’s Great Lakes Strategy for PFOS, PFOA and LC-PFCAs Risk Management 27.05.2021 - NGOs support the importance of implementing risk mitigation and management actions aimed at reducing PFAS chemicals in the Great Lakes waters, wildlife, and people. ... Read More
On-Line courses on SAICM in Russian 11.03.2021 - Since its adoption, SAICM has proved to be an important international framework for promoting and advancing chemical safety objectives. Learn more about its history, governance,… ... Read More
Products in our home: a hidden health threat 02.03.2021 - Consumers deserve to be told the truth. There is a need for mandatory full disclosure of the presence of toxic substances in products ... Read More
Why does the issue of e-waste continue to be a global challenge despite international efforts to address it? 18.02.2021 - An efficient e-waste management is based on government commitment; regulatory requirements and enforcement; a social orientation towards separate waste collection; and environment and health protection… ... Read More
New on-line course on SAICM Issues of Concern 21.12.2020 - With this course we hope to expand the discussion about the future of SAICM beyond 2020 and involve many people and organizations from around the… ... Read More
NGOs call on Canada to eliminate all non-essential plastic products and materials 10.12.2020 - The NGO discussion paper recommends objectives to be included in the Canadian approach to plastic. ... Read More
Toxic Additives in Plastics: Hidden Health Hazards Linked to Common Plastic Products 30.09.2020 - Even small amounts of toxic plastic chemical additives can result in cancers, damage to immune and reproductive systems, impaired intellectual functions, and/or developmental delays. ... Read More
ON-PACKAGE CONSUMER COMMUNICATION 28.09.2020 - Can I recycle this? A global mapping and assessment of standards, labels, and claims on plastic packaging ... Read More
NGOs urge Canada to support other countries to stop toxic recycling 25.05.2020 - The impacts of PBDEs to health and the environment will continue to be of global concern with several Parties to the Stockholm Convention that have… ... Read More
NGO submission to UNEA5 presidency 13.05.2020 - The Norwegian presidency of UNEA5 asked stakeholders to provide input to specified questions on the ministerial declaration of UNEA5. HEJSupport, together with other NGOs, sent… ... Read More
Canada responded to NGO request to stop the recycling of products with globally banned toxic flame retardants 30.04.2020 - Canada has no longer required the toxic recycling exemption for tetrabromodiphenyl ether, pentabromodiphenyl ether, hexabromodiphenyl ether, and heptabromodiphenyl ether listed in the Stockholm Convention on… ... Read More- NGO response to the Draft Science Assessment of Plastic Pollution 01.04.2020 - The Assessment confirms that larger plastic items like bags and straws can physically harm animals and negatively affect their habitat. The report also highlights microplastic… ... Read More
- To Clean Up Canada’s Recycling Act, End a Zombie Chemical Policy 05.03.2020 - Recycled plastics can contain some of the world’s most hazardous chemicals. It is time we put an end to this toxic policy. ... Read More
Media Release: NGOs urge the Canadian government to stop the recycling of products with globally banned toxic flame retardants 29.01.2020 - Canadian groups seek greater protection to the environment and health. ... Read More
Webinar “Plastic- and Toxic-free Menstruation Products” 06.12.2019 - HEJSupport together with Women`s Voices for the Earth and Women Environmental Network hosted a webinar on plastic- and toxic-free menstruation products. You can find the… ... Read More
What we need from a chemicals in products database 11.11.2019 - Consumers need clear, full, reliable and accessible information about chemicals in products. ... Read More
Publication: Guidance to the Chemicals in Products (CiP) Programme for NGOs 10.11.2019 - HEJSupport International coauthored "The Guidance to the Chemicals in Products Programme for non-governmental organizations". The Guidance explains the role NGOs should play in the implementation… ... Read More
Ban Lead in Paints 10.10.2019 - On the eve of the International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action HEJSupport Co-Director Olga Speranskaya speaks about lead poisoning through paints in Europe. ... Read More
The Sustainability of Fashion: what role can consumers play? 19.06.2019 - Read our new article about sustainable textiles and the demand of consumers. The textiles industry is one of the largest industries in the world. Its… ... Read More
Plastic and Toxic Free Period 26.04.2019 - HEJSupport is happy to announce a new project on toxic chemicals, health, and plastic pollution. The project entitled “Plastic and Toxic Free Period” is supported… ... Read More
27 NGOs urge EU member states to vote for health and environment protection 11.02.2019 - 27 national, European and international NGOs urge EU member states to take responsible decisions at the next REACH Committee Meeting that will take place on… ... Read More
Welche Rolle spielt die Textilindustrie bei der Verschmutzung von Flüssen? 07.01.2019 - HEJSupport hat im letzten Rundbrief des Forums Umwelt und Entwicklung einen Artikel zum Thema Textilien und Flüsse veröffentlicht. Die globale Tex- tilindustrie ist eine der… ... Read More
Will EU MEPs allow the violation of the Stockholm Convention? 05.10.2018 - On Thursday, 4th of October 2018, HEJSupport and ten other NGOs sent a letter to the members of the Environment Committee of the European Parliament,… ... Read More- Three EECCA countries are taking steps forward to ban plastic products 04.10.2018 - In the last months three EECCA region countries, Georgia, Moldova and Kyrgyzstan, strive for regulations to ban plastic products. ... Read More
Fragrance chemicals harm human health – consumer should know about them 26.09.2018 - Dozens sometimes even hundreds of chemicals can hide in beauty and personal care products that contain fragrance. HEJSuport joins Breast Cancer Prevention Partners and many… ... Read More
EU Parliament should vote against toxic recycling 12.09.2018 - On September 13, the European Parliament will decide whether recyclers in the EU will be able to trade waste containing chemicals that are banned in… ... Read More
New Article in HazMat Magazin: Recycling end-of-life materials may be perpetuating toxic chemicals in new products 09.05.2018 - HEJSupport International Co-Director Olga Speranskaya, together with a researcher from the Canadian Environmental Law Association and paralegal, Fe de Leon, recently co-published a paper with… ... Read More
