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
Category: Chemicals in Products
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.

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

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

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

EU Competitiveness Compass must safeguard social and environmental protections More than 270 civil society organisations, including HEJSupport, trade unions, consumer groups, farmers organisations, civil rights

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 and products.

The primary outcome of IINC 4 discussion was the decision to hold two intersessional meetings between now and INC5

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 and products to different stakeholders.

Join in and sign this important petition for a toxic-free Europe!

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 their life cycles.

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 polymers used in plastics.

A global guidance on making effective environmental, social and economic claims to facilitate the empowerment of consumers

Canada’s online survey about the global plastics treaty

Chemical transparency is needed to ensure the effectiveness of the Basel Convention implementation.

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.

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 non-toxic circular economy.

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 on plastic.

GMTS is a keystone tool for achieving sustainable natural resource management and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

This side event introduces the concept of the Global Minimum Transparency Standard for Hazardous Chemicals in products.

Have a look at our submissions and recommendations on draft resolutions in the chemicals and waste cluster.

Most Canadians have no idea they probably have PFAS chemicals (Per- and Polyfluoroalkly Substances) in their bodies, nor understand how they got exposed.

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 us on November 23 as 12 p.m. CET.

Read our submission to the EU Commission on the revision of the EU Toy Safety Directive.

It is not sufficient to simply focus on data collection by expanding the monitoring of PFAS in the environment – the efforts on PFAS must include a roadmap to move to informed substitution and innovation with safer products and chemicals.

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 toys and ways to improve transparency and regulations to ensure toys are safe for children and the environment.

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 vision and ideas on different aspects of sustainability in the textile and garment industry.

In May 2021, HEJSupport was an invited scholar to speak at the Caribbean Poison Prevention Week webinar on “Gender and Chemicals”.

NGOs support the importance of implementing risk mitigation and management actions aimed at reducing PFAS chemicals in the Great Lakes waters, wildlife, and people.

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, and the process towards beyond 2020 chemical and waste strategy

Consumers deserve to be told the truth. There is a need for mandatory full disclosure of the presence of toxic substances in products

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 through safe toxic-free product design and transparency of chemical information.

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 world into the conversation.

The NGO discussion paper recommends objectives to be included in the Canadian approach to plastic.

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.

Can I recycle this? A global mapping and assessment of standards, labels, and claims on plastic packaging

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 not withdrawn their need for the exemption.

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 a joint submission to highlight a few key topics.

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 persistent organic pollutant.

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 pollution, noting evidence of negative effects on animals and the environment and uncertainties regarding the potential for effects on humans.

Recycled plastics can contain some of the world’s most hazardous chemicals. It is time we put an end to this toxic policy.

Canadian groups seek greater protection to the environment and health.

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 presentations here.

Consumers need clear, full, reliable and accessible information about chemicals in products.

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 of the Programme which is the only international instrument that provides different options for disclosing information on hazardous chemicals in products.

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 our new article about sustainable textiles and the demand of consumers. The textiles industry is one of the largest industries in the world. Its supply-chain includes agriculture, manufacturing, processing, fabric care, use, recycling and disposal. Nearly all countries are involved in the textile industry though the actual involvement can vary from textile and product design and development of manufacturing technologies, to actual production and shipping to numerous locations. However all countries face the growing problem of textile waste management directly linked to unsustainable textile production and use.

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 by Funding for Social Change Ltd and is part of a broad initiative on plastic and toxic free disposable and reusable menstrual products involving Women’s Voices for the Earth (WVE), Women’s Environmental Network (WEN), Environmenstrual Coalition and many others.

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 the 14 and 15 of February 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 größten VerschmutzerInnen von Flüssen weltweit.

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, expressing their concern about some of the proposed amendments and changes to the Regulation on Persistant Organic Pollutants (POPs).

In the last months three EECCA region countries, Georgia, Moldova and Kyrgyzstan, strive for regulations to ban plastic products.

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 more environmental and health organizations worldwide and calls for full fragrance ingredient disclosure so consumers can make safer, more informed purchases.

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 the virging materials. HEJSupport joins EEB in the demand to the European Parliament to end toxic recycling.

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