UK committee probes Amazon, Ikea, Kingfisher on chemicals management

Major retailers Amazon, Ikea and Kingfisher have provided evidence to a UK parliamentary committee on how they are tackling the issue of chemicals of concern in the products they sell. The Environmental Audit Committee launched an inquiry in February into the impact of "toxic chemicals in everyday life on human health and the environment". This came after the government promised to address chemicals "of national concern" in a 25-year environment plan, released a year ago. At yesterday’s parliamentary session, the Committee’s chair MP Mary Creagh asked Daniel Kingdon, director of compliance and safety for EMEA at Amazon, how the company ensures products sold by its online sellers are compliant with its chemicals requirements and national legislation. Mr Kingdon said that, while it tests its own-brand products, it does not carry out routine testing of products sold by its seller community.