On September 11, 2019 the Swedish non-governmental organization ChemSec announced that its report “Replacing phthalates: Why and how to substitute this hard-to-spell chemical group” publicly available. The report supports small business operators in their decision making when procuring safer materials that are not made with substances of very high concern. In particular, the report focuses on ortho-phthalates that are used as plasticizers, for example in plastic packaging and other plastics applications. Plasticized plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) contain up to 50% of their weight in phthalates. Because phthalates are additives and not chemically bound to the plastic’s polymer, they can migrate out of the material. Therefore, humans can be exposed to phthalates at high levels. The report provides scientific facts, uses of phthalates, reasons for concern, information on the legislative background, and puts the alternatives into context. Finally, it provides recommendations to policy makers and business decision makers.
The report is an output of the joint project on Hazardous Chemicals in Plastic Packaging led by the Food Packaging Forum.
Read more
ChemSec (September 11, 2019). “New report shows hot to substitute phthalates.”
ChemSec (September 11, 2019). “Replacing Phthalates.”
Chemical Watch (September 18, 2019). “Regulatory push needed for greater phthalate substitution – NGOs.”
