HEJSupport joined more than 60 NGOs across Europe urging EU policymakers to develop robust strategies for phasing out harmful PVC plastics.
Given the significant health and environmental risks associated with PVC, we advocate for a complete phase-out of this material. To align with the EU Zero-Pollution Plan and non-toxic environment initiatives, we call on the European Commission to swiftly implement a strong restriction on the production, use, and marketing of PVC and its additives under the REACH regulation. Furthermore, we urge the European Commission and its member states to push for a global ban on PVC within the framework of the new Global Plastics Treaty.
Evidence clearly shows that safer alternatives to PVC are available for almost all applications.
The European Commission must take immediate action to phase out PVC by 2030.
Please sign the petition here.
While PVC is popular due to its low cost and versatility, it contains harmful substances that pose risks to both human health and the environment. PVC also exacerbates issues like PFAS contamination and microplastics, which the EU is already targeting through regulatory measures. Additionally, industry has not fully disclosed the potential hazards of other additives in PVC products.
Scientific evidence shows that PVC causes significant health and environmental damage throughout its entire lifecycle. As such, sustainable production and use of PVC is not feasible.
We call on EU policymakers to phase out PVC by 2030. This plan must include broad restrictions on its production, use, and market entry under REACH across sectors.
PVC impacts human health and the environment at every stage:
During production:
- Communities and workers are exposed to carcinogens like ethylene dichloride, vinyl chloride monomer, dioxins, heavy metals, and asbestos.
- PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals,’ are used and released in chlorine production.
- Vinyl chloride monomer production can emit mercury, contributing to climate change and pollution.
- PVC production releases carbon tetrachloride, harming the ozone layer and requires high energy compared to other plastics.
During use:
- Harmful additives such as lead stabilizers and phthalates are released, impacting health and the environment.
- PVC consumer products like food packaging and toys expose people to toxic chemicals.
- PVC plumbing can contaminate drinking water with lead and volatile organic compounds.
During disposal:
- PVC is hard to recycle due to hazardous additives, limiting safe reuse.
- Landfilling or burning PVC releases harmful chemicals like dioxins and furans.
- PVC waste contaminates water sources with microplastics and toxic chemicals.
Despite the known risks, the PVC industry has delayed action by lobbying, claiming that technical improvements mitigate its hazards. However, these changes have not eliminated the significant risks. Companies are also engaging in ‘regrettable substitution,’ swapping regulated substances for equally harmful unregulated ones.
The EU’s 2022 Restriction Roadmap identified PVC and its additives as hazardous chemicals needing restriction, and a 2023 European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) report confirmed the risks of PVC and its additives. The report also noted that safer alternatives exist. Now, it is up to the European Commission to mandate a restriction on PVC under the REACH regulation.
