Risk assessment of chemical substances in consumer products

The increased focus on unwanted chemical substances in consumer products results in more demands to producers, importers and distributors. Particularly, stricter regulations and legislation on environment and health issues, but also better knowledge of the properties and effects of dangerous and unwanted chemical substances have lead to the increased focus.

A number of regulations exist concerning bans or restrictions on the content of dangerous and unwanted chemical substances in consumer products, which producers, importers and the retail trade are obliged to comply with. 

Furthermore, according to the Product Safety Act, no consumer products are allowed to be marketed if they contain chemical substances that can constitute a health risk for the consumer.

Read more: European Commision - Chemical Legislation - REACH

Non-compliance with legislative requirements may be expensive in the form of withdrawal of illegal products from the market and negative publicity.

Our services within chemical substances and risk assessment

We offer a number of services related to risk assessment of chemical substances in consumer products. Our starting point is always our customers’ specific needs and context:

• Risk assessment of chemical substances: We perform risk assessments of chemical substances in general and in specific products. Furthermore, we prepare documentation for use towards both the authorities and customers. 
• Legislation check - companies: We determine whether companies comply with the applicable chemical legislative requirements within the relevant areas. We can prepare legislation checks for your own company or for one of your suppliers.  
• Legislation check – products: We determine whether a product complies with the applicable chemical legislative requirements, including REACH and special national rules, Danish and/or foreign. 
• Chemical strategy: In cooperation with you, we can work out a strategy for the types of chemical substances that should be avoided in your products, and for the requirements that you should put forward to your suppliers regarding the content of chemical additives in your products. Alternatively, make sure that you live up to the requirements in applicable environmental labelling schemes.

Environmental and health assessment of chemical substances in products

Some substances of very high concern, such as for example phthalates, are prohibited in certain types of products/articles, for instance children’s toys. However, according to the Product Safety Act, no products are allowed to be marketed if they constitute a health risk for the consumer. For instance, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency has earlier stopped the sale of several types of erasers that contained concentrations of phthalates that could constitute a health risk if children sucked or chewed on the erasers over a long period of time. 

We offer assistance with surveying and risk assessment of chemical constituents in products. It is a clear advantage to have up-to-date knowledge in this area if customers require insights about substances of very high concern in their products.

Chemical analyses of consumer products

We perform test and consultancy on consumer products. Our facilities include a chemical laboratory that enables us to carry out tests and trials on your product and perform test on e.g. metals, precious metals, plastic and other materials.

Our qualifications within health and risk assessment of chemical substances

FORCE Technology has many years of consulting experience regarding legislation and requirements on unwanted chemical substances in products.

We are experts in applicable regulatory requirements for chemical substances in products and offer consultancy within health and environment at both company and product level.