We have been campaigning on Chemicals and Health since 2003 when new legislation was introduced to reduce the threat of hazardous chemicals. The final vote of the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) legislation took place on 13 December 2006 in the European Parliament. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to ensure a safer future for humans and wildlife.
Simple Solutions
The Simple Solutions booklet with tips and tools from the WI on reducing your exposure to chemicals in the home is no longer available, however you can now download a copy of the booklet from the panel on the right hand side .If you would like further information please download the 'Women and their toxic world' brouchure from Women in Europe for a Common Future.
The Issue
Tens of thousands of chemicals are manufactured, used and released into the environment every day. Some of these chemicals are particularly 'persistent', meaning they stay in the environment for a long time and do not break down, and are 'bioaccumulative', meaning they build up in the body. Others cause 'endocrine disruption', meaning they interfere with hormone systems.
Background
May 2003: Launch of campaign
The WI joined WWF-UK in calling for measures to reduce exposure to hazardous man-made chemicals.
June 2003: Blood testing
A campaign ambulance went around the UK to obtain blood samples to be analysed for the presence of certain industrial chemicals.
March 2004: Conference
The WI and WWF-UK held a one day event to explain the campaign issues to WI members.
October 2004: Family blood testing
Seven families across the UK (including three WI families) were blood-tested for 104 man-made chemicals.
January 2005: Petition against toxic chemicals
A visit to the European Parliament in a bus filled with hazardous chemicals to hand over a petition signed by more than 77,000 people.
October 2005: Brussels lobbying
WI members went to Brussels to lobby MEPs before the first plenary vote.
November 2005: Strasbourg lobbying
A delegation of WI members joined other women's, environmental, health and consumer organisations in Strasbourg to make a final push for a pro health and environment REACH and to watch the first plenary vote in the European Parliament.
May 2006: Indecent Exposure
The Indecent Exposure lifestyle questionnaire was launched by WWF-UK to estimate people's exposure to specific groups of man-made chemicals, with Cambridge Federation holding an event.
June to October 2006: MEP meetings
WI members met with several MEPs around the UK in the lead up to the second plenary vote to reinforce our position.
October 2006: Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF) brochure
A WI representative attended the launch of the WECF brochure ‘Women and their toxic world’ in Brussels. Meetings were also held with several MEPs before the vote on REACH in the Environment Committee.
December 2006: Second EU vote
The final parliamentary vote on REACH took place on 13 December 2006 when MEPs voted in favour of the compromise deal agreed by all EU governments.