PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
There has been policy progress both substantively and transparency-wise since the introduction of the REACH Regulation. However, although consumers are better protected against harmful chemicals since then, their exposure to chemicals is still worrying. This is mainly because the general increase in consumption offsets the achievements in chemical safety: particularly since the COVID pandemic, people use more packaged and processed food, more plastic, and more products in general as well as more from non-EU countries.
The exposure of consumers to harmful chemicals is unquestionable and likely to increase. In January 2022, in the scientific journal Environmental Science and Technology, 14 scientists concluded that humanity has exceeded a planetary boundary related to environmental pollutants, including plastics.
The Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability from 2020 states that almost 30% of the alerts on dangerous products on the market involve risks due to chemicals, with almost 90% of those products coming from outside the EU, with imported articles and online sales representing a particular challenge. Chemicals related to materials in contact with food are of particular concern.
There is limited research about consumer awareness of chemical substances and their impacts on the health or environment. However, awareness of the problems associated with chemicals is generally higher than the awareness of available solutions, options or measures that can be taken.
An intention/behaviour gap therefore exists at the level of individuals: people care, but are not yet able to alter their behaviour. Unless they chose Ecolabelled products, they are not able avoid risks, partly due to the lack of information.
OBJECTIVES
The ToxFree LIFE for All project aims to protect the health of citizens from risks and impacts related to the exposure of harmful chemicals in everyday consumer products. It aims to support the transition towards a sustainable and toxic-free economy, society and environment by informing, empowering, and enabling consumers to choose products with less hazardous components, thus protecting themselves, the environment and signalling the necessity of change towards the market. The project will also mobilise citizens in the support of policy processes that aim for the prohibition of harmful substances. The specific objectives of the ToxFree LIFE for All project are to:
Raise awareness among consumers, especially among vulnerable groups including women and young mothers, about chemical substances in consumer goods that are most harmful for human health and the environment, and about alternatives.
Achieve behaviour change among consumers in Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia, countries that have to date been mostly inactive in systematic consumer communication regarding harmful substances.
Promote the phasing out of substances of public concern, and mobilise support for the development, implementation, monitoring and enforcement of local or EU legislation and policy to these ends.
RESULTS
The project’s expected results are:
11,950,000 consumers reached.
5-10% of these consumers have an increased awareness.
103,100 consumers have a change in behaviour.
20,600 consumers involved in mobilising actions.
73 European or local level legislative, policy or business decision makers reached.
Partnerships with 100 civil society organisations and projects across Europe built.
