Regulation of chemicals in children's products: How U.S. and EU regulation impacts small markets

Maya Negev, Tamar Berman, Shay Reicher, Simona Balan, Anna Soehl, Shula Goulden, Ruti Ardi, Yaniv Shammai, Laura Hadar, Arlene Blum, Miriam L. Diamond

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Toys and children's products may contain trace metals and organic compounds that are potentially harmful to the health and development of infants and young children. Intergovernmental organizations and individual countries regulate chemicals in consumer products, but a coordinated international approach is lacking. This paper examines the implications of chemical regulation in children's products in large markets for a smaller market, namely Israel. We compared chemical regulations in children's products in the U.S., EU and Israel, and conducted in-depth interviews with diverse stakeholders in the Israeli product standardization process. Israel adopted EU chemical standards for certain chemicals (e.g., trace metals, phthalates) but not others (e.g., bisphenol A, flame retardants, trace metals in children's jewelry). Israeli regulation of chemicals in consumer products relies on regulations in large markets such as the U.S. and EU, which therefore have impacts beyond their territories. However, Israel adopts only product-specific standards and has regulatory gaps due to the lack of an overarching regulatory approach that exists in the U.S. and the EU. Furthermore, Israeli policy is to adopt parallel standards from large markets in order to remove trade barriers, despite their different approaches to chemical regulation, an approach which prioritizes trade considerations over health considerations. We conclude with policy recommendations for Israel, which have relevance for other small markets.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)462-471
Number of pages10
JournalScience of the Total Environment
Volume616-617
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Elsevier B.V.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution

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