Dollarstore sells toxic toys

Contains high levels of lead, cadmium and phthalates: Stands out

Dollarstore sells toys, electronics and packaging with endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic substances.

This despite the fact that the Chemicals Inspection Agency tried to get the low-price giant to stop selling toxic products for over ten years, an examination by Handelsnytt shows.

– They have not prioritized it, says Karin Rumar, inspector at the authority to Aftonbladet.

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For over ten years, the Chemicals Inspectorate has carried out inspections at Dollarstore’s Swedish stores. Every year, the authority has found a plethora of products with excessively high levels of toxic chemicals.

The dangerous substances have been found in product samples ranging from toys, electronics and packaging, writes Handelsnytt.

– What we usually find them in are cheap electronics that are “no-brand”, i.e. not from well-known brands and in soft plastic and toys such as beach balls, says Karin Rumar.

In electronics, one finds above all too high levels of lead, which risks damaging the nervous system. Even if consumers do not come into contact with the metal directly, it can end up in landfills and get out into the environment, according to Karin Rumar.

Can cause osteoporosis and cancer

Cadmium, which can cause damage to kidneys, osteoporosis and cancer, as well as hormone-disrupting phthalates and short-chain chlorinated paraffins, which are suspected of being carcinogenic, have also been found in the controls.

In one of all prosecutions against the low-price giant, the Chemicals Inspectorate writes: “calculated, it corresponds to hundreds of kilos of harmful substances that are out there with consumers in this case alone”, writes Handelsnytt.

– Dollarstore stands out compared to other stores, says Karin Rumar.

When the authority pointed out the problems, Dollarstore has removed the toxic products from the store shelves, but they have lacked an active effort to ensure that they do not end up there in the first place, according to Karin Rumar.

– They have not worked systematically to keep them away from the stores. Our view is that the management has not prioritized it, she says.

Has been punished several times

Dollarstore has been punished with corporate fines four times, according to Handelsnytt. As recently as January, the company had to pay SEK 300,000 after high levels of phthalates and chlorinated paraffins were discovered in, among other things, a sunscreen for car windows, a table fan and sunglasses.

In addition, the discount giant must pay 150,000 kroner after selling Halloween toys, including a mask, a Led necklace and spiders with excessive levels of lead and phthalates.

– These are unusually high fines in our world, says Karin Rumar.

They have also been subject to environmental penalty charges on repeated occasions.

What do you think is the most serious thing about how Dollarstore handled chemicals in its products?

– The most serious thing is that they have not had their own proactive work with this. Time and time again when we have been there and inspected they have promised action, but they have not followed through.

Dollarstore’s quality and sustainability manager Märta Kuylenstierna writes in a comment to Aftonbladet that from 2023, they will review their routines to prevent it from happening again.

“Dollarstore requires its suppliers to comply with European legislation. However, processes for follow-up and quality assurance have been insufficient,” she writes.

She also writes that Dollarstore has a new owner since August 2023 and that they have therefore made changes with their quality work.

“In addition, we have a new quality manager who started in February. It does not absolve us from responsibility, but I hope it underlines our ambition to take overall responsibility for our range”.

That should be avoided

As a consumer, what should you pay attention to and think about when shopping if you want to make sure you don’t bring dangerous substances home?

– You should avoid electronics that are “no brand”, i.e. that are not from well-known brands, cheap electronics and toys with soft plastic. You should also look for whether the product has a CE mark, says Karin Rumar.

She emphasizes that it is not intended that consumers themselves should have to keep track of what may be in the products they buy.

– But you may have to think a little extra about whether to buy disposable products. Is it too cheap? Then you have to think a little extra. It is better to buy quality, says Karin Rumar.

Should you be worried if you have plastic toys or cheap electronics from the Dollarstore at home?

– No, we usually don’t want to worry people with individual products, it is the total exposure that is the problem. But it’s clear, if you have a lot of plastic toys at home and feel worried, maybe you can clean some of them out.