Consumers given right to demand all product data

CONSUMERS have been given the right to demand all information on the presence of any “hidden” toxic chemicals in products and packaging for sale throughout the country.

As part of the new European Union REACH legislation, shoppers now have the right to seek further details on substances and chemicals which have been used in the make-up of an on-sale item, but which are not highlighted in the contents.

In particular, the new EU law includes a “right to know” section which legally requires manufacturers or product makers to provide a response to written questions about a series of chemicals on the official “candidate list” of potentially toxic chemicals within 45 days of the request by a member of the public.