January 28, 2004

By: Sam Amin
Website: http://www.1st-in-toys.com

PVC Baby Toys Removed From Shelves Following Greenpeace Action

Following Greenpeace's action today, Toys'R'US Austrian headquarters have withdrawn from their shelves the 5 baby toys identified by Greenpeace as PVC, asking all Toys'R'US shops throughout the country to do the same immediately. The company also committed to identify and withdraw all PVC baby toys from their stores in Austria within two weeks.

Their decision follows a Greenpeace action at Toys'R'Us Austrian headquarters, where activists collected and removed soft PVC toys from the store. Greenpeace is concerned that hazardous additives used in soft PVC can leach, posing a hazard to children chewing on them. Yesterday the Austrian Ministry for Consumer Affairs also announced they would be asking retailers to remove these toys from their shelves.

Toys'R'Us in Austria are to be congratulated on their prompt action to protect children from the avoidable exposure to hazardous chemicals, said Greenpeace campaigner Madeleine Cobbing welcoming the decision.

Nevertheless, Greenpeace repeats its request of a consistent PVC-free policy worldwide. In fact, the Toys'R'Us decision concerns only their Austrian branches not their numerous stores throughout the world.

Despite the decision in Austria, hundreds of Toys'R'Us stores around the world are still selling soft PVC baby toys containing hazardous chemicals, added Cobbing. Piecemeal measures are not enough. It is time for Toys'R'Us to stop selling these toys throughout the world.

Also see: Water Toys

About The Author:

Sam Amin is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-toys.com.  Find all the toys you wish you had as a kid. Fun and educational toys found here.