The European Commission is facing a second court challenge for allowing a Canadian company to sell two dangerous chemicals used for road markings and painting industrial machines in the EU. Environmental lawyers ClientEarth, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), the International Chemical Secretariat (ChemSec) and IPEN are taking the European Commission to court after it refused to withdraw an EU-wide permit allowing the use of lead chromate pigments.
To date, the European Chemical Agency has received 380 notifications of companies declaring the use of lead chromate pigments in the EU since this authorisation. This is hindering the use of safer alternatives EU companies have invested in. Many companies have also already declared their intention to export these hazardous products to poorly regulated markets outside the EU.
This report (anglais et français), conducted by Centre de Recherche et d’Education pour le Développement (CREPD) in partnership with IPEN, presents new data on the total lead content of solvent-based paints for home use available on the market in Cameroon. It also presents background information on why the use of lead paint is a source of serious concern, especially to children’s health; a review of national policy frameworks that are in place to ban or restrict the manufacture, import, export, distribution, sale and use of lead paint, and provides a strong justification to adopt and enforce further regulatory controls in Cameroon. Finally, it proposes action steps by different stakeholders to protect children and others from lead paint.
