Norway proposes to prohibit four hazardous substances in consumer products

The Norwegian Ministry of the Environment is submitting proposals to prohibit four hazardous substances in consumer products, to the EFTA Surveillance Authority. The substances are found in a number of products such as crayons, toys, paint, carpeting, plastics and textiles.

The proposed prohibitions include lead, medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs), pentachlorophenol (PCP)and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) that are among the most serious hazardous substances we know of.

Consumer products are an important source of emissions of hazardous substances to the environment and of exposure to humans. Hazardous substances accumulate in nature and are a threat to the environment and human health.

- It is important to reduce the dispersion of hazardous substances. Hazardous substances are found in products that we surround ourselves with on a daily basis, but that it may be difficult for the consumer to be aware of.  It is important to phase out hazardous substances in consumer products in order to secure the consumer safe products, and to reduce the dispersion of hazardous substances. The four proposed prohibitions are an important contribution to reducing negative health- and environmental effects consumer products may cause, says the Minister of Environment and International Development Erik Solheim.

Norway as a frontrunner

The proposals to prohibit the four substances in consumer products are stricter than current regulations in the EU.

- I want Norway to be a driving force for stricter environmental regulations internationally. The proposed prohibitions send an important signal that Norway takes the challenge from hazardous substances in consumer products seriously. I hope the comprehensive work that these prohibitions are founded upon, can contribute to common international regulations in this field, says Solheim

EFTA Surveillance Authority will now send the proposals on public consultation in the EEA area. The Ministry of the Environment will at the same time ask the Climate and Pollution Agency to send the proposed prohibitions on public consultation nationally.

The Climate and Pollution Agency have considered that there are good and safe alternatives, and that the industry is not dependent on using these substances to produce the products.