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Everyday millions of people use our products to give them the clean, safe and healthy lifestyles that they expect, and take for granted in the 21st Century.
Our Industry’s role is to listen to consumers’ needs and concerns and to provide products that are safe for them and the environment.
The UK Cleaning Products Industry has become aware through some recently published media articles that Greenpeace and WWF have issued a report entitled ‘A Present for Life - Hazardous Chemicals in Umbilical Cord Blood’.
Some of the media articles have attributed certain statements to that report which are inaccurate, with regard to the use or safety of some types of ingredients.
This may lead to unnecessary concerns amongst consumers.
The report produced by Greenpeace and WWF highlights the importance of the proposed European legislation REACH. As an industry we support the objectives of the Commissions proposal not the least of which is the reinforced protection of human and environmental safety.
The UK Cleaning Products Industry is a highly responsible one that puts both human and environmental safety as a very high priority for all its products. Consumers can be reassured that they may continue to use cleaning products safely.
Notes to Editors
Alkyphenol Ethoxylate. The use of this chemical is the subject of a ban under the EU Marketing and Use Directive. However, the UK Cleaning Products Industry voluntarily stopped the use of this chemical in Consumer cleaning products over 30 years ago and in detergent based industrial and institutional products over ten years ago.
Phthalates. These are chemicals, which can occur in numerous different forms, and have widely varying chemical characteristics. Certain of them may have human health risks but these ones are not used in the cleaning products industries. The only form in general use, and at very low levels, in cleaning products is DEP (Di-ethyl Phthalate) which has been safety-assessed and approved by the EU’s Scientific Committee for Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products Intended for Consumers.
Musks. Musks can also occur in various forms, both natural and artificial. Safety concerns relate only to natural and nitromusks, and the industry has already phased these out. The use of polycyclic musks in consumer products has been examined by the European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non Food Products (Now the Scientific Committee on Consumer Products) and has made recommendations for their continuing safe use.
Triclosan. The use of Triclosan in some antibacterial soap products is regulated through the European Cosmetics Directive 76/768/EEC/. Its provisions ensure that only safe products are placed on the EU market.
Dr A N Williams