PRODUCT SAFETY: COURT RULES AGAINST BEUC IN AIR FRESHENER DISPUTE

摘要

European consumers'group BEUC and Dutch group Consumentenbond must withdraw their "unsubstantiated" allegations that air fresheners are a health hazard or face a fine of euro 10,000 a day, a court in The Hague ruled on March 8. The decision is a clearvictory for air freshener producer Sara Lee, which had launched the lawsuit against the two organisations after they put out a damaging report in November claiming that air fresheners release carcinogenic substances and present "a real risk to health" (see Europe Information Agriculture 172). BEUC's controversial claims - which have been roundly rejected by the chemical industry - triggered a scandal and led to widespread consumer panic in the EU: in the Netherlands, where the lawsuit was initiated, sales of air fresheners fell by 30% following the allegations.