Greenpeace Test: 13 of 15 Children's Sticker Tattoos Contaminated with Harmful Chemicals

Criticism of Limit Values

Dermatologist Alexandra Vent was quoted assessing that for products intended for children, mere compliance with legal limit values should not be the sole decisive factor: „Bei Produkten, die gezielt für Kinder vermarktet werden und über Stunden auf der Haut verbleiben, sollte nicht allein die Einhaltung gesetzlicher Grenzwerte im Vordergrund stehen". From a medical perspective, the precautionary principle should apply.

According to Greenpeace, the test also uncovered lead concentrations in several samples, including an elevated level in a product from the Müller brand. In addition to brick-and-mortar retailers, online platforms such as Amazon also came under scrutiny, as such tattoos are sold directly to end customers through these channels.

Demands to Politics and Trade

Greenpeace directed the demand for a strong ban on all PFAS as well as stricter chemical regulations to the responsible ministry of Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP). The new rules must take so-called "cocktail effects" into account — that is, the combined impact of multiple substances simultaneously, the organization emphasized. It is not enough to measure each substance individually against a limit value.

Retailers and manufacturers are now obligated to act: „Händler und Hersteller müssen jetzt Verantwortung übernehmen und die Gesundheit unserer Kinder zur obersten Priorität machen." The Chamber of Labour of Upper Austria also referenced the issue and demanded that providers consistently review their assortments, particularly with regard to sticker tattoos for children.

Significance for Parents and Children

According to the organizations, the tested products came from various distribution channels, including drugstore and toy store chains as well as online shops. The tests were carried out in an independent laboratory that examined the samples for a broad range of harmful substances, including phthalates, heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, as well as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds.

The results are part of a broader debate over chemicals in everyday products for children. Consumer advocates point out that children's skin can absorb harmful substances more readily than adults' skin, which is why the contamination is particularly serious. Greenpeace announced that it would share the data with authorities and retailers and continue the testing.

Outlook on Further Tests

The organizations stated that the issue will continue to occupy policymakers beyond the current reporting. Should retailers not voluntarily remove the affected products from their assortments, further legal steps are being considered. In the meantime, the consumer protection organizations advise parents to exercise general caution with sticker tattoos for children and to switch to tested alternatives whenever possible.