Survey: Toxic Products Abound in Macedonia

“We will do some additional testing of the noted products if there is need for it,” Avni Aliti from the State Sanitary and Health Inspectorate told Balkan Insight.

The local NGO ‘Eko-svest’ recently raised the alarm on toxic products when they announced the results of their ten month long study.

By simply noting product content and comparing it with EU directives and the rapid alert system for all dangerous consumer products, RAPEX, the NGO made a black list of products that present a potential health hazard and are being sold in Macedonian stores.

Aliti explained that when it comes to children’s toys and certain other products, the agency usually only conducts inspections if they suspect the toy or other good may contain toxic ingredients, or if a complaint is filed.

Children’s toys, mainly from China, which contain dangerous levels of potentially hazardous chemicals like di-“isononyl” phthalate or acetophenone lead the list of toxic products.

However, the survey has shown that many cosmetic and sanitary products, even from domestic manufacturers, contain hazardous ingredients as well ingredients that do not comply with EU standards.