Safe Chemicals
People are often not aware of the presence of hazardous chemicals in consumer products. In general, people rely on the government and the producers for the safety of the products they buy. They assume that the products they find in the shop do not contain hazardous substances. Unfortunately, the restrictions on the use of toxic substances in consumer products only apply to a relative small number of chemical substances. As a result consumers are continuously exposed to toxic chemicals in their everyday life without being aware of this.
Together with partners and other environmental organizations, WECF strives to raise awareness among consumers as well as influencing policy-makers at the national and international level. WECF conducts research, provides information about chemicals and organizes workshops and trainings for a diversity of people and groups.
WECF fought and lobbied hard for a new EU chemicals legislation, called REACH. REACH entered into force in June 2007 and gives consumers the right to find out about hazardous chemicals in everyday consumer products.
Internationally WECF co-operates with other NGO's to implement and strengthen SAICM, Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management, and the extension of the Rotterdam Convention with asbestos.
Asbestos continues to be widely used in Eastern Europe and citizens are not aware of the great health problems linked to this substance.
The Nesting project is another example of how WECF provides consumers with information on hazardous chemicals in baby products.
This website does not only inform future parents about certain products, materials and ingredients that have turned out to be a health risk and might even be dangerous for children, but also gives information on alternates and product labeling to make sure that babies grow up in a safe and healthy environment.
WECF does not only focus on toxic chemicals in consumer products. In Armenia, Kazakhstan and the Ukraine old pesticide stockpiles pose a serious threat to the environment and public health. Partner organizations try to attract attention to these problems and cooperate with the local and national authorities to isolate or remove the stockpiles and reduce the threat to humans, animals and the environment.
|
Related News >
16.03.2010 | WECF report on Parma 12.03.2010 | WECF Press Release 05.03.2010 | WECF the Netherlands Press Release 22.02.2010 | WECF Press Release 19.02.2010 | 05.02.2010 | WECF Press Release 04.02.2010 | Johanna Hausmann 15.01.2010 | Sascha Gabizon 02.01.2010 | Sascha Gabizon 22.12.2009 | Joint NGO Press Release Press Coverage > 15.03.2010 | Ends daily 10.02.2010 | Telegraaf, bijlage Veiligheid 04.02.2010 | Eco Chic Magazine 26.11.2009 | France 5, C'est Notre Affair 26.11.2009 | Mondiaal Nieuws, Belgium 24.11.2009 | The Connexion, France in English 30.10.2009 | Laura Sevier, The Ecologist 03.08.2009 | Ikvader.nl 19.06.2009 | Rotterdam Convention 13.05.2009 | SIN Reporter 1 |
Related Projects >
Asbestos in Eastern Europe and the Rotterdam Convention Belarus - Citizens involvement Breast Cancer: Policy and Prevention Bulgaria - Water, waste and sanitation in rural areas Chemikalien im Alltag Children's Environmental Action Plan for Europe Children's Environmental Health - Budapest 2004 Civil society and sound hazardous waste management, asbestos and POPs, in Kazakhstan Eliminating toxic chemicals globally EU - Eco-efficiency and sustainable development Greece - REACH Youth Event Hungary - Our Common Future International Project Nesting - A healthy Environment for Healthy Children Poland - Women, chemicals and health REACH - Eliminating toxic chemicals in the EU Romania - Rural Development for All Safe Toys Coalition The Netherlands - Our Toxic Free Future ToNi-Finder Ukraine - Co-operation for Sustainable Rural Development Uzbekistan - Toxic Pollution in the Aral Sea Region WECF Germany: “Umweltgerechtigkeit von Geburt an" (Environmental justice right from the beginning) Women as the Voice for the Right to a Healthy Environment World Summit on Sustainable Development |
