Environment Ministers from Sweden, Lena Sommestad, and Denmark, Connie Hedegaard, accepted the gifts –X shaped biscuits- and letters from the son of the toxic family and the Director of WWF’s DetoX Campaign, Karl Wagner.

WWF believes that only if Member States take a firm stance on authorisation will REACH deliver a substantial improvement compared to the current EU chemicals policy. If too many loopholes are established, the new legislation might even turn into a threat for human health and the environment. Aware of this risk, the toxic family and WWF called on Member States to ensure that the original aim of REACH is accomplished, that is to effectively protect wildlife and people from the threat of hazardous chemicals

Outside the Council building, two 40 meters banners displaying the message “strong REACH = healthy future” caught the attention of the passers by, who were also curious to meet the members of the toxic family. Pushing a 3 meter tall shopping trolley up and down the Schuman area, the father, mother, child and dog of the family voiced their concerns about toxic chemicals in the products and environment surrounding us.

As WWF’s recently released ‘Generations X’ study showed, we are all contaminated with a cocktail of persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic man-made chemicals. They are found in everyday consumer products from carpets, clothes and non-stick cooking pans, to computers and baby bottles.

To stop the growing toxic chemical threat, it is essential that the Council agrees to substitute hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives whenever possible.