19 June
2006 - Madrid, Spain — High fashion isn't normally
known for being held in high regard among environmentalists.
But some big names and big brands in fashion have
gotten together with us to put on a toxics-free
fashion show.
Sixteen top fashion designers,
including Carmen March, Antonio Pernas and Jocomomola,
showed that they believe in substance as well
as style at a glittering 'Moda sin Toxicos' catwalk
show in Madrid. There they unveiled one-off creations
designed to avoid the toxic chemicals widely used
in clothing.
For those of us who don't get
the chance to wear high fashion there will soon
be more places to find toxic-free clothes at humbler
establishments. Fashion giants Mango and Camper
have now committed to phase out dangerous chemicals
from their lines. They join the likes of H&M,
Marks and Spencer, and Puma in going toxics-free.
While it might not seem obvious
that clothes contain hazardous chemicals, modern
production methods mean many do. It's not easy
to avoid them, as Helen Perivier, our toxic campaigner
explains:
"These fashion leaders
work in a highly competitive industry, and are
keen to put environmental and health concerns
at the heart of their priorities. Innovative small
businesses like these must currently go to extraordinary
lengths to find materials that do not contain
harmful chemicals; what they should be getting
are guarantees that chemicals on the market are
safe."
Current laws on toxic chemicals
are not effective, often making it hard to avoid
these substances.
Wake up call
The catwalk is intended as a
well-dressed wake-up call to grey-suited political
types in Brussels, who later this year will vote
on new rules to govern the chemical industry.
This autumn, the European Union will decide on
the fate of a new chemicals regulation regime
called REACH. At the heart of the debate is whether
the new law will give a clear signal to industry
to substitute hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives
or not. Currently, thousands of chemicals are
used in consumer products with little or no health
or safety assessments, leading to widespread contamination.
An unborn baby may now be exposed to 100 man-made
chemicals before it is even born.
However, chemical producers
have organised an unprecedented lobby against
strong, effective chemical law, losing no opportunity
to undermine its power to protect human health
and the environment. In contrast, many other companies
that use chemicals in their products see advantages
in a strong REACH law that could guarantee safer
materials. Despite only being a European law,
once passed it will quickly become a global standard
because Europe is the biggest market for the global
chemicals industry.
The beautiful clothes on show
in Madrid prove that it is possible to avoid toxic
chemicals and still be stylish. Now it up to the
European Union to stand firm and ensure that the
toxic-free elements of this unique event will
one day be the norm. Only then can we be sure
that all our clothes and other products don't
contain chemicals that can harm our health and
our environment.
