France to propose EU restrictions on hazardous chemicals in diapers

The French Agency for Food, Environment and Occupational Health and Safety (Anses) is undertaking a work programme that will result in a restriction proposal on harmful substances in baby diapers at EU level. In January, Anses said it found hazardous chemicals at levels exceeding EU safety thresholds in some disposable diapers.  At the time, it asked manufacturers to revise processes and recommended they improve controls of raw materials and cease using fragrances in diapers. It also recommended close monitoring of chemicals in disposable diapers already on the market. This month, Anses released a document on the development of threshold concentrations for chemicals in disposable diapers. While these are not currently regulatory in nature, the agency said the conclusions will be used to initiate a REACH restriction dossier on the chemicals used in single-use layer products, like diapers.