Hygienic protections: the government wants more transparency on their composition

Towards more transparency regarding the composition of periodic protection? This is the government’s new objective announced by the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran, at France Inter and Release this Thursday, March 10. A decree requiring manufacturers to clearly display the list of ingredients on the packaging of tampons, sanitary napkins and menstrual cupsexpected to be released by January 2023.

“This decree will be binding and can no longer be circumvented, unlike a charter, which would only bind those who are willing to sign it”, indicated the Minister of Health during an exchange with the associations Elementary Rules, Georgette Sand, as well as the legal force of the Women’s Foundation, reported by Release. Products manufactured outside France will also be subject to the same obligations. However, the percentage of each component will not be indicated.

Potentially toxic substances

Three years ago, the National Health Security Agency (ANSES) warned about the toxic components present in hygienic protections. “Tests revealed the presence of chemicals in tampons, menstrual cups, sanitary napkins and/or panty liners but without exceeding the health thresholds”ANSES had published before adding: “ANSES has not demonstrated any direct relationship between the physico-chemical properties of the materials of these intimate protections and a risk of increased SCT. The expertise shows that the menstrual toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is more related to the conditions of use of the intimate protections”.

toxic shock syndrome, this rare but serious condition, usually affects women between the ages of 14 and 25 during their period. It would be related to the presence of staphylococcus aureus in the vagina of some women. With this new planned decree, manufacturers will also have to display the precautions for use of periodic protections in order to “to improve the safety of women”, assures the minister Release. Hand washing after changing protection, maximum wearing time of a tampon, opting for a tampon according to the flow… These tips should appear on packaging from 2023.

Encourage manufacturers to improve their composition

With this decree, Olivier Véran hopes to change the composition of tampons or sanitary napkins by pushing manufacturers to take care of it. The Minister of Health compares this initiative to that of the nutriscore set up for food products or the soda tax. “It had worked and the behavior of the manufacturers has changed. They have reduced the sugar in the sodas, reduced the salt in the ham… I am convinced that we will also arrive at virtuous behavior on the part of manufacturers of sanitary protection “assures the Minister of Health to France Inter.

Once the text has been negotiated with the manufacturers, it should take effect on January 1, 2023.