Latest news with #REACH
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Thousands of ‘toxic' toys are recalled in UK over chemical that ‘can damage children's reproductive systems'
THOUSANDS of 'toxic' toys have been recalled in the UK, over fears they could damage the reproductive systems of children. Parents are urged to immediately remove the toys from their children, and dispose of them responsibly. 1 The toy is being destroyed at the border Credit: Amazon The remote control toy, targeted at primary school aged boys, was sold via Amazon, with the Amazon has now removed its listing for the QUNREDA Remote Control Car, after a Serious chemical risk The report found that the product presents a "serious chemical risk" due to excess concentrations of phthalates. It has also been incorrectly labelled. Read more recall stories The notice reads: "The product presents a serious chemical risk as it has an excessive concentration of phthalates. "Phthalates may harm the health of children, possibly causing damage to the reproductive system if ingested. "The product is also incorrectly labelled, with no manufacturer's name and address on the toy. It continued: "The product does not meet the requirements of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Enforcement Regulations 2008 or the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011." Most read in The Sun Product destroyed at border The safety report then revealed that the product is now being rejected at the border and "destroyed." Anyone who owns the product, which has a model number of RCQ1 should contain Amazon, and should be able to get a refund. Aldi urgently recalls £3.29 freezer essential over dangerous disease that affects 1 in 100 of Brits Products are commonly recalled when they pose a risk to customers' health. If you are worried about the safety of one of your products, check the government website, to see if a recall has been issued. Recent product recalls This comes as Citroen recalled tens of thousands of cars from UK dealerships, to Citroen DS3 models built between 2009 and 2019 and CS3 models built between 2009 and 2016 were Your product recall rights Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know. Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods. As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action. But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk. If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer's website to see if a safety notice has been issued. When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault. If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer. They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice. In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected. You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item This led to a notice that owners of these models them until the problem is resolved. A Shoppers have been warned not to eat the popular sweet treat. The Food Standards Agency warned that the Neosis Schokolade Love of But this is not mentioned on the label, making it a possible health risk to anyone with an Shops selling the chocolate are warned to "immediately stop sales and to undertake product withdrawals".
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Thousands of ‘toxic' toys are recalled in UK over chemical that ‘can damage children's reproductive systems'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THOUSANDS of 'toxic' toys have been recalled in the UK, over fears they could damage the reproductive systems of children. Parents are urged to immediately remove the toys from their children, and dispose of them responsibly. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The toy is being destroyed at the border Credit: Amazon The remote control toy, targeted at primary school aged boys, was sold via Amazon, with the dangerous gadget imported to the UK from China. Amazon has now removed its listing for the QUNREDA Remote Control Car, after a Serious Product Safety Report was issued by the Government. Serious chemical risk The report found that the product presents a "serious chemical risk" due to excess concentrations of phthalates. It has also been incorrectly labelled. The notice reads: "The product presents a serious chemical risk as it has an excessive concentration of phthalates. "Phthalates may harm the health of children, possibly causing damage to the reproductive system if ingested. "The product is also incorrectly labelled, with no manufacturer's name and address on the toy. It continued: "The product does not meet the requirements of the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Enforcement Regulations 2008 or the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011." Product destroyed at border The safety report then revealed that the product is now being rejected at the border and "destroyed." Anyone who owns the product, which has a model number of RCQ1 should contain Amazon, and should be able to get a refund. Aldi urgently recalls £3.29 freezer essential over dangerous disease that affects 1 in 100 of Brits Products are commonly recalled when they pose a risk to customers' health. If you are worried about the safety of one of your products, check the government website, to see if a recall has been issued. Recent product recalls This comes as Citroen recalled tens of thousands of cars from UK dealerships, to replace potentially lethal airbags. Citroen DS3 models built between 2009 and 2019 and CS3 models built between 2009 and 2016 were affected by the recall, which comes after a French woman was killed following a crash as her airbag sent metal fragments into her face causing fatal injuries. Your product recall rights Chief consumer reporter James Flanders reveals all you need to know. Product recalls are an important means of protecting consumers from dangerous goods. As a general rule, if a recall involves a branded product, the manufacturer would usually have lead responsibility for the recall action. But it's often left up to supermarkets to notify customers when products could put them at risk. If you are concerned about the safety of a product you own, always check the manufacturer's website to see if a safety notice has been issued. When it comes to appliances, rather than just food items, the onus is usually on you - the customer - to register the appliance with the manufacturer as if you don't there is no way of contacting you to tell you about a fault. If you become aware that an item you own has been recalled or has any safety noticed issued against it, make sure you follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer. They should usually provide you with more information and a contact number on its safety notice. In some cases, the manufacturer might ask you to return the item for a full refund or arrange for the faulty product to be collected. You should not be charged for any recall work - such as a repair, replacement or collection of the recalled item This led to a notice that owners of these models should stop driving them until the problem is resolved. A viral Dubai-style chocolate bar has also recently been urgently recalled over a dangerous health risk. Shoppers have been warned not to eat the popular sweet treat. The Food Standards Agency warned that the Neosis Schokolade Love of Dubai chocolate contains peanuts. But this is not mentioned on the label, making it a possible health risk to anyone with an allergy to the nut. Shops selling the chocolate are warned to "immediately stop sales and to undertake product withdrawals".
Euronews
10-07-2025
- Health
- Euronews
Why are EU ministers having blood tests for ‘forever chemicals'?
EU environment and climate ministers have been invited to have their blood tested for PFAS - harmful 'forever chemicals' linked to cancer and other serious health risks. The initiative, led by the Danish Ministry of Environment and Gender Equality in partnership with the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and non-profit ChemSec, aims to raise awareness of the growing PFAS pollution crisis affecting citizens and the environment across Europe. Ministers who have accepted will have their blood samples analysed for 13 PFAS substances, known for persisting in the environment and accumulating in the human body. 'It is crucial that we now take strong action against PFAS pollution' As one of the first actions of Denmark's EU Council Presidency, environment minister Magnus Heunicke launched the initiative and invited all 32 EU environment and climate ministers, as well as ministers from EFTA countries and Ukraine, to take the PFAS blood test. Heunicke has already undergone testing alongside Jessika Roswall, the European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy. 'PFAS accumulates both in the environment and in humans, and once it is present, it is very difficult to deal with,' Heunicke says. 'In humans, we know that PFAS can, among other things, cause cancer, and it can also affect aquatic environments and animals. 'It is crucial that we now take strong action against PFAS pollution, which is why measures must be taken across the EU to prevent, contain, and clean up PFAS.' How the EU plans to tackle PFAS pollution Denmark, alongside Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, has submitted a joint proposal to the European Commission to ban the production, sale, and use of almost all PFAS under the EU's REACH regulation. This legislation addresses the production and use of chemical substances, and their potential impacts on both human health and the environment. The European Chemicals Agency's (ECHA) scientific committees are currently assessing the health, environment and socio-economic impacts of the proposal as well as the availability of safer alternatives. 'No one is immune to chemical pollution - neither people nor the environment. PFAS producers have long known the health risks - cancer, fertility issues, thyroid disease, and weakened immune system - and they're still choosing profit over people,' Patrick ten Brink, Secretary General at the EEB, says. What are PFAS exactly? PFAS are a group of over 10,000 man-made chemicals widely used in a long range of industrial processes and everyday products such as non-stick cookware, water-repellent fabrics, food packaging, and firefighting foams. Known for their extreme persistence in the environment and the human body, they are often referred to as 'forever chemicals'. Linked to cancer, infertility, thyroid disease, and immune system suppression, PFAS now contaminate the bodies of nearly all Europeans - including children, pregnant women, and adolescents. Experts warn that PFAS pollution ranks among the most serious public health threats of our time. The hidden cost of inaction against PFAS pollution Cleaning up PFAS pollution could cost the EU up to €2 trillion over the next 20 years, the EEB says, with environmental remediation alone estimated at €100 billion annually - not including the additional €52-84 billion in yearly health-related costs. Much like the tobacco and fossil fuel industries, major PFAS producers have long known about the severe health and environmental risks associated with their chemicals - yet chose to conceal the evidence, the EEB says. Despite contributing to an estimated €16 trillion in societal costs for environmental clean-up and healthcare per year, producers continue to profit with minimal accountability. 'These companies continue to lobby against regulation, obscure the science, and mislead decision-makers, all while communities across Europe are exposed to toxic chemicals,' Brink says. 'The cost of inaction is already staggering, and it's growing by the day. We urgently need to hold polluters accountable and stop this cycle of harm.' A spokesperson from EEB confirmed that ministers are undergoing testing today.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PG&E Launches $50M Customer Bill Assistance Program
PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) is one of the most undervalued large cap stocks to buy according to analysts. On July 1, PG&E announced a commitment of $50 million towards new and existing financial assistance programs for helping eligible customers manage past-due energy bills. The initiative includes the launch of the new PG&E Match My Payment Program and continued support through the existing PG&E Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help/REACH program. The new PG&E Match My Payment Program offers a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $1,000, for qualifying low-to-moderate-income customers to pay down their outstanding balances and prevent service disconnections. Customers can receive matching payments for multiple bill payments throughout the year, up to the $1,000 maximum, and the program is scheduled to run until December 31 this year. Brightly-lit nighttime view of an electricity power grid with distribution lines and transmission substations. To be eligible, customers must have a minimum past-due balance of $100 and pay at least $50 towards it each time to receive matching funds. Eligibility is based on federal income guidelines, with a family of four making less than $128,600 annually potentially qualifying, which is an increase from the $62,400 limit for the same family size under the REACH program. PG&E estimates that ~400,000 customers may qualify for this program, with funding distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), through its subsidiary, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, sells and delivers electricity and natural gas to customers in northern and central California, the US. While we acknowledge the potential of PCG as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the . READ NEXT: and . Disclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey. Sign in to access your portfolio
Euractiv
08-07-2025
- Health
- Euractiv
Animal Testing Under REACH: It's Time to Take 'Last Resort' Seriously
The European legal framework requires its Member States to pay full regard to animal welfare standards when formulating and implementing policies. Yet, when it comes to chemical safety, the EU's flagship regulation, REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), still relies heavily on animal testing, despite its stated commitment to making this a 'last resort.' REACH was designed with the core objective to protect people and the environment from dangerous chemicals. At the same time, the regulation claims to support and promote the use of non-animal methods as one of its overarching purposes, as outlined in its first article. In reality, this commitment is not being upheld: almost two decades into its implementation, REACH still relies on often-outdated testing methods, which involve not only significant animal suffering, but questionable scientific reliability. REACH promotes the use of alternatives 'whenever possible' (Article 13), and Article 25 explicitly states that testing on animals should only occur as a last resort. Yet in practice, these commitments are frequently bypassed. A report[1] published in 2024 by leading scientists and organisations revealed that the last resort requirement isn't always respected in practice. Companies continue to submit animal data on a routine basis, often because such data is perceived as more readily acceptable. Regulators frequently request or accept animal-based studies, even when suitable non-animal methods are available. The contradictory effects and implications of this approach are evident in the numbers. The scale of animal testing in the EU is staggering. In 2022 alone, over 8.4 million animals were used in scientific procedures across the European Union (EU) and Norway. Of these, more than 1.1 million were used specifically for regulatory testing, including chemical safety assessments.[2] Many of these animals endured moderate to severe suffering. For instance, chemical safety dossiers often include repeated-dose toxicity tests, skin and eye irritation tests on rabbits, and reproductive toxicity tests that use hundreds of animals per chemical. This reality stands in stark contrast to both the ethical principles and legal goals of REACH, and the situation is worsening. A 2023 review revealed that animal testing under REACH has far exceeded initial projections, with numbers expected to rise further in the coming years (Knight et al. 2023 PMID:37470350). This anticipated increase is partly driven by the potential introduction of new testing requirements, designed to enhance protection of human health and the environment. However, the actual benefit of additional animal testing remains uncertain, and without clear evidence that these new requirements will meaningfully improve safety outcomes, there is a real risk of unnecessarily expanding animal use. This isn't just an ethical issue, it's also a scientific one. Animal tests are often poor predictors of human outcomes. Numerous studies have demonstrated that non-animal models, including human cell-based assays and computational approaches, can provide more accurate, faster, and cost-effective data. For example, skin sensitisation assessments once relied upon guinea pig and mice tests, but can now be reliably assessed using a combination of cell-based and computational approaches validated by the OECD[3]. Yet, these animal-free methods are still not being utilised to their full potential. Now is the time to fix this. Nearly two decades after its introduction, REACH is set for a significant revision, offering a critical chance to close this gap between policy and practice. The European Commission has an opportunity to remove regulatory obstacles that slow the adoption of advanced, animal-free safety testing. To truly make animal testing a last resort, not the default, three key reforms should be made: 'No alternative' must truly mean 'no alternative.' Before any animal test is performed, registrants and authorities should publicly document that no equally reliable non-animal method exists. Transparency must be increased. Animal tests should only be approved if they are scientifically necessary, not just administratively convenient. Too often, testing is driven by regulatory habit rather than safety need. Ethical and scientific oversight that balances both the necessity and the ethical cost of animal testing must be required. The decision to use live animals must never be taken lightly or hidden behind bureaucratic procedure. The EU has long positioned itself as a global leader in animal welfare and regulatory innovation. But true leadership involves setting high standards and also upholding them. If REACH continues to allow animal testing as a routine fallback, it will undermine both its credibility and its fundamental expression of Europe's broader values and goals. Policymakers now have a chance to align our laws with EU's political agenda and society's technological advancement. Industry, too, stands to benefit from the rapid embrace of non-animal methods that are often faster, cheaper, and more predictive of human outcomes. By shifting the culture around chemical safety testing, we can build a system that protects people, the environment and animals, without compromising our fundamental public health and safety needs. With REACH under review, it's time to move beyond vague commitments and implement real safeguards to replace animal testing. Let's ensure that the REACH revision reflects not just the best science, but the best of what Europe stands for. By Dr Giorgia Pallocca and Antigoni Effraimidou, Humane World for Animals.
