Chemicals in Products: The Need for Information - An Emerging Policy Issue that Needs Global Cooperation

Virtually all manufactured articles today, from consumer goods to machinery and construction materials, have chemicals included or added to them to enhance the appearance or performance of the product. Impurities or by-products of the manufacturing process may be present as well. Most of these chemicals are benign, but many have known or suspected risks.Not just chemical products but also manufactured goods, i.e., those produced for the function they bring and not for their chemical properties, can hence pose a risk due to the chemicals they contain. Research on the effects of chemicals, including some in common use, continues to identify hazards posed by them to human health or the environment. Global trade and distribution International trade of manufactured goods results in global distribution of the chemicals they contain. When used or discarded, these products can release chemicals to the environment, which can enter people’s bodies through the air, water or food, as well as through direct skin contact. Thus common products like toys, clothing, furniture, carpets, electronic equipment, automobiles, building materials etc. can pose a global risk due to the chemicals that are distributed with them. Addressing risks posed by these chemicals contained and transported in products requires action globally, on many levels and involving many actors.