Around a third of the 106 articles analyzed in 13 European countries, including Portugal, in the second quarter, in the framework of the LIFE AskREACH project, contained at least one substance dangerous for health and the environment.
The information was released this Sunday by the environmental association Zero, which expressed concern about the results of the analysis carried out within the framework of the European project LIFE AskREACH, in the second quarter of this year.
Of the 106 articles analyzed by an independent and accredited laboratory, from 13 European countries, including Portugal, “around a third contained at least one chemical substance of very high concern and 10 contained these substances above 0.1%, which means that a significant number of the articles available on the European market still contain substances that can have negative impacts on human health and the environment”, explained the association.
According to Zero, these are substances that can be carcinogenic, bioaccumulative, persistent or interfere with the hormonal system.
The analysis gave preference to DIY items, gardening and swimming.
As consumers, we have the right to know if an item we want to buy contains chemicals of very high concern (commonly known as SVHCs),” the association said, noting that “brands and retailers are legally required to inform the consumer, at their request. , if the product contains any of these substances in a concentration greater than 0.1% by weight”, it is a right enshrined in the European chemical regulation “REACH”.
To facilitate communication between businesses and consumers, as well as throughout the supply chain, 20 organizations from 13 countries are working together in the framework of the LIFE AskREACH project, funded by the LIFE program of the European Union, which developed the application (‘app’) Scan4Chem , which allows consumers to scan a product’s barcode and submit a request for information about the presence of SVHC.
The app currently has a list of 223 substances, which is updated regularly.
Source: Observadora
