Act now to ban PVC

Why is this important?

PVC exposes us to toxic, carcinogenic chemicals and contaminants, posing a threat to water sources, the ozone layer, and other natural elements which are integral to the health of our planet. 

Due to its affordability and versatility, PVC is an attractive material for the products we interact with every day - from construction and packaging to medical applications. But plenty of the chemical substances in PVC products threaten the health of people and the planet - as well as fuel other crises that the EU is taking regulatory measures against, such as PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ and microplastics. We are still left in the dark by industry about the potentially hazardous properties of other additives.

All current scientific evidence shows that using PVC is problematic, leading to significant health and environmental issues at all stages of its lifecycle. Sustainable production and use of PVC is, therefore, not possible.

To address these risks, we call on EU policymakers to put an end to PVC and develop a plan for a full phase out of the material by 2030. At the core of this plan should be a broad restriction of the production, use and market entry of PVC under REACH across sectors.

PVC has negative impacts on the environment and human health at every stage of its life cycle - production, use and disposal. 

During production:

• Communities and workers are exposed to highly hazardous chemicals released during the production of PVC and its feedstocks, including carcinogens such as ethylene dichloride, vinyl chloride monomer, dioxins, heavy metals and asbestos among others. 
• The use and release of persistent PFAS - ‘forever chemicals’ - in chlorine production.
• One way to produce the vinyl chloride monomer is by using acetylene which in its production uses coal and emits mercury, contributing to climate change and environmental degradation.
• PVC damages the ozone layer through the release of carbon tetrachloride.
• PVC production requires high amounts of energy compared to other consumer plastics.

During use:

• PVC has adverse effects on human health and the environment due to high volumes of harmful additives such as lead stabilisers and phthalates that are being released during use and end-of-life.
• Commonly used PVC for consumer products - such as food packaging and children's toys - exposes people to these additives.
• Drinking water contamination from PVC plumbing exposes people to harmful contaminants such as lead and volatile organic compounds.

During disposal: 

• PVC is a very difficult plastic to recycle: its hazardous ingredients hinder toxic-free reuse and recycling.
• During the landfill or burning process of PVC, harmful chemicals such as heavy metals, dioxins and furans are emitted.
• Water sources are contaminated by microplastics and toxic chemicals from PVC waste dumping.

To prevent PVC - the most environmentally damaging form of plastic - from causing further harm, urgent action is needed.

In 2000, the European Commission published a Green Paper on the "Environmental issues of PVC", pointing to the fact that PVC causes several problems for the environment and human health. The paper showed that an “ integrated approach is therefore necessary to assess the whole life cycle of PVC in order to develop the necessary measures to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment as well as the proper functioning of the internal market”.  

Despite these conclusions, made more than 20 years ago, the PVC industry managed to derail the debates on addressing the issues posed by PVC with intense lobbying. By claiming that technical progress has reduced some of the risks related to PVC, and that its alleged societal benefits outweigh the overall drawbacks, the industry is delaying much needed action. 

Companies along the PVC product value-chain are now also engaging in ‘regrettable substitution’ - i.e. switching out a regulated substance for an unregulated one, which poses an equal hazard, meaning that harmful impacts remain.

The 2022 Restriction Roadmap, Europe’s bold plan to ban the most hazardous chemicals, includes PVC and its additives in its list of hazardous chemicals that should be restricted. Findings from a 2023 report by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) confirm that regulatory action is needed on PVC and its additives. It indicates that PVC additives and microplastics pose a risk to human health and the environment and that alternatives are available across applications. The European Commission will decide now if it mandates a PVC restriction proposal under the REACH regulation.

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