From Regulation to reality: Have we cleared the Serbian market of restricted toxic phthalates?
This report introduces results of the laboratory testing of 30 plastic products bought on Serbian market in July 2024 which were tested on the presence of four toxic phthalates, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP). These phthalates have been banned in consumer products in the EU since July 8th, 2020. While in Serbia, this restriction has been implemented into legislation since July 8th 2023, making it illegal to sell products containing these phthalates at concentrations exceeding 0,1%.
The results of the laboratory testing revealed that these phthalates were detected in 63% of tested products at concentrations exceeding allowed in various products, including school bags, children’s raincoats, PVC makeup bags, artificial leather, boxing gloves and other PVC products. A phthalate concentration of more than 50 percent was found in the children's raincoat, which is 500 times more than the permitted amount.
This study is part of Arnika and ALHem’s ongoing efforts to monitor hazardous chemicals in consumer products, raise public awareness about the presence of toxic phthalates in everyday items that people regularly encounter and to advocate for significant decrease of plastic production.
