A new study by the Environmental Protection Agency reveals that 93 percent of Danish retailers selling electronic goods are not aware of their obligation to inform customers of SVHCs (subjects of very high concern) when they sell them everything from watches and electric toothbrushes to computers.

According to the REACH regulations, customers have the right to demand answers on whether a product contains substances that the EU adjudges to be of particular concern to our health and the environment – for example,  hormone-disrupting phthalates, brominated flame-retardants and polyfluorinated substances.

After submitting a request for information, customers are required a response within 45 days.

Shocking lack of knowledge
Dorte Lerche Bjerregaard, the campaign manager at the Environmental Protection Agency, is shocked at the lack of awareness.

She mentions an app, developed by the agency and the Consumer Council, which makes it easy to scan a bar code and receive instant information on harmful substances within the product.

“In light of this app, I had expected many to be aware of the disclosure. However, the study shows there is a need for the smaller companies to gain a better knowledge of the rules,” she told Ing.dk.

Educating consumers on their right for information
Jakob Lamm Zeuthen, the head of environmental policy at the Danish Chamber of Commerce, states that consumers must have the information that they are entitled to.

“Retail stores rarely experience a customer asking for this kind of information,” he told Ing.dk.

“This is partly due to the fact that the rules do not support purchases. Customers will not wait 45 days for answers when buying a new television.”