World Green Organisation (WGO) is creating a ‘white list’ of baby products with higher safety standards for Hong Kong-based consumers.
The project will run for three years and cover different product categories, starting with baby lotion.
A ‘3-defence’ methodology will be used, which involves collecting product samples from seven retailers for testing of chemicals such as heavy metals, methanol and formaldehyde.
This is followed by an international ingredient check using regulations from the EU, US, China and Japan.
The final step is an effect-based biological testing method, which will measure the level of estrogen equivalent (EEQ) concentration.This higher standard will incentivise manufactures to only produce products that will not harm the human body.
EEQ levels are thought to affect the human endocrine system and cause developmental problems for up to as many as three generations to follow.
Products that meet all requirements will be added to the white list.
Concerned parents
The project was proposed after WGO conducted surveys on more than 200 Hong Kong parents with children under three.
More than 80% of the respondents said they were worry about baby product safety, with 61% unsure of what harmful ingredients could be found and 59% unaware of the implications of estrogenic chemicals.
Nearly 100% of those polled said they would refer to a white list if they could when purchasing baby products.
Dr Yu, CEO of WGO, said: “In general, all existing baby products comply with government safety regulations. However, this higher standard will incentivise manufactures to only produce products that will not harm the human body and pollute the environment.”
