Safety of cosmetic products
People use cosmetic products on a daily basis to wash their skin, hair and oral cavity in order to ensure hygiene, take care of themselves and keep themselves in good condition. Almost 4 000 new cosmetic products enter the Estonian market every year. A cosmetic product consists of various chemicals that each perform a certain function in its recipe and provide the product with the desired characteristics (e.g. UV protection, moisturisation).
A cosmetic product must not harm people’s health during its minimum shelf life when used for its intended purpose and in the manner prescribed. However, some individuals may be highly sensitive to certain ingredients contained in cosmetic products. In such a case, the person should cease consuming the product and, before purchasing a new product, determine whether it is appropriate for them. A closer look should be taken at the hazard properties of the ingredients provided on the label (e.g. by scanning with an app) and, where possible, products that contain different ingredients should be used. This makes it possible to prevent repeated exposure to the substance and ensures that the skin’s tolerance threshold to certain small amounts of sensitising substances is not reduced, helping to avoid the possibility of skin irritation.
Although the responsibility for the health security of cosmetic products lies with the manufacturer and the importer, the Health Board advises consumers to examine the goods thoroughly before purchasing.
To enable consumers to make an informed choice about cosmetic products, the label of a cosmetic product includes its name, intended use, method of use and, where appropriate, the precautionary measures for its safe use, the composition in common nomenclature (INCI), the details of the responsible person, the batch number, the bar code of the product, the characteristics, the shelf life and, where necessary, the storage conditions of the product. The mandatory information on the original labelling referred to above may not be covered by the labelling in Estonian.
If health damage occurs as a result of the use of a cosmetic product, please inform:
- the manufacturer;
- the distributor (importer);
- the service provider; or
- the Health Board.
Health damage or serious undesirable effects (SUEs) are investigated by the Health Board. Where appropriate, the Board ensures that the dangerous cosmetic product is withdrawn from sale.
The Health Board checks the health security and compliance of cosmetic products.
Safety of toys
In order to avoid potential hazards associated with toys, it is important to pay attention to the following:
- Make sure that the toy, packaging or label bears the CE marking. With this marking, the manufacturer accepts responsibility and declares that the toy complies with all relevant requirements.
- Consider the suitability of the toy with respect to the age of the child. A toy is unsuitable for a child under 3 years of age if it contains small parts.
- Make sure that the toy does not have any loose small parts, sharp edges or long ribbons, etc. before giving it to the child.
- Before giving the toy to the child, remove the packaging and its parts so that these do not put the child at risk (suffocation).
- Read the instructions and warnings carefully.
The manufacturer and importer are responsible for the safety of toys, including labelling.
Compliance of toys with requirements is monitored by the Consumer Protection and Technical Regulatory Authority.
Safety of chemicals
Chemicals surround us everywhere and enable us to live a modern, comfortable life, but they also entail risks that need to be addressed.
People are exposed to chemicals on a daily basis, mainly through the use of household chemicals or building chemical products. For example, household chemical products include washing and cleaning products (detergents), maintenance products, household chemicals for setting the mood, insect repellents (biocide), etc.; and building chemical products include all sorts of adhesives, caulks, mixtures, wood preservatives, lubricants, etc.
Biocides include various disinfectants protecting the skin and various surfaces at home from bacteria, yeasts, mould and viruses; preservatives protecting goods from bacteria, yeasts and mould; mosquito and tick repellents; pest control agents that protect people and households from pests; and products that prevent boat fouling.
A biocide is a chemical or product that contains, as an active substance, a chemical or a micro-organism that has the purpose of destroying, deterring, rendering harmless or otherwise preventing the action of harmful organisms. A product is not considered a biocidal product if the same effect is achieved only by physical or mechanical means or operations.
When looking at the packaging of a biocidal product in a store, care should be taken to ensure that the packaging is intact and has information in Estonian, including the authorisation number of the biocidal product. Since a biocidal product is primarily intended to destroy or repel harmful organisms, it must always be handled with the utmost caution, making sure to follow the instructions for use.
Detergents are substances or mixtures containing soaps and/or other surfactants for washing and cleaning purposes. Detergents may be in any form (liquid, powder, paste, bar, etc.). Apart from regular washing and cleaning products, detergents include soaking, rinsing and bleaching products, fabric softeners, etc.
Before purchasing a detergent, you should know exactly on which materials it is intended to be used. Namely, many all-purpose cleaning agents, degreasing agents, descaling agents, etc. have a composition that cannot be used on certain materials. Information must be available in Estonian on the packaging of the product and it is important that the instructions for use are followed when using the product.
Notice hazards – know the meaning of pictograms!
Chemicals can be corrosive or irritant, cause allergies, damage the respiratory tract or the central nervous system, contribute to the development of cancer, cause problems with fertility in the event of long-term exposure, and other health problems that can manifest themselves years after use. The pictogram provided on the packaging of a chemical refers to a specific hazard category. Pictograms are diamond-shaped hazard labels with a red border on a white background.
Read the labelling – this helps to avoid accidents at home and at work! The information on the packaging of a chemical is meant to inform the consumer of all the hazards of the product and to provide guidance on its safe use. It is therefore important to use chemicals in accordance with the instructions on the packaging in order to prevent accidents and damage to health.
If an accident has occurred upon the use of chemicals, you can get assistance from the Poison Information Centre by calling 16662. Upon contacting the Poison Information Centre, you may be asked to provide the UFI code (Unique Formula Identifier), which is indicated on the label of the product or mixture. The purpose of the UFI code is to ensure the prompt and accurate identification of a mixture classified as hazardous and its composition, allowing specialists to provide appropriate guidance on actions and medical treatment in the event of poisoning.
The Health Board checks the compliance of chemicals with the requirements.