In a recent market surveillance conducted by EU-funded ToxFree LIFE for All project, researchers collected 180 samples from 81 headphone models sold in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia and Austria and all of the tested products contained endocrine-disrupting substances.
As reported, hazardous substances were detected in every product tested. While many individual substances appeared in low concentrations, it raises concerns about the long-term risk to endocrine and fertility due to the detection of chlorinated paraffin, bisphenols, phthalates, and new brominated flame retardant.
Among the detected substances, Bisphenol A (BPA) appeared in 98% of samples, while its common replacement, Bisphenol S (BPS) was detected in more than 75%, with some concentrations far exceeding levels proposed by European regulators. The report also highlighted the widespread use of “regrettable substitutions”—where banned chemicals are replaced with nearly identical alternatives that carry similar endocrine‑disrupting and neurotoxic risks.
Evaluation result in different categories
| EVALUATION |
RATING |
| Contact parts |
68% green |
| Non-contact parts |
21% yellow + 37% red |
| Chlorinated paraffin, flame retardant, phthalate |
>80% green |
| Bisphenols |
69% green |
| Product from well-known brands |
48% red |
| Product from Retail brands |
50% red |
| Product from No-name brands |
27% red |
- Advanced Chemical Testing
- Analysis on plastics, coatings, and electronic components for bisphenols, phthalates, flame retardants, and chlorinated paraffins
- EU Regulatory Compliance
- From REACH and RoHS to evolving endocrine-disruptor restrictions, SGS guides manufacturers through complex requirements to ensure safe market access
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