#NotOnOurBabies: Sign the Open Letter Calling for Stronger Protections for Babies and Young Children
Babies and young children should be protected from harmful chemicals. Yet toxic chemicals are still found in many everyday personal care products, including lotions, shampoos and wipes designed for babies and children.
On Green Baby Day (18 June 2026), we are bringing together organisations, health advocates, parents, researchers and concerned citizens to call for urgent government action to better protect babies and young children from harmful chemical exposure.
Why this matters
Babies are especially vulnerable to toxic chemicals because their bodies and brains are still developing. Exposure before birth and in early life can affect long term health and development.
Research shows that pregnant women, babies and children are routinely exposed to multiple harmful chemicals through everyday life, including through personal care products, food, air and the wider environment. Some of these chemicals, including endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and PFAS “forever chemicals”, have been linked to concerns around reproductive health, brain development, immune function and lifelong health outcomes.
Yet current UK regulation does not adequately reflect the reality of cumulative, low dose exposure, especially during critical stages of development.
Parents should not be left to navigate these risks alone.
What we are calling for
Through this open letter, we are calling on the UK Government to:
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Ban known harmful chemicals from baby and personal care products
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Adopt a precautionary approach to chemical regulation
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Strengthen safety standards to reflect cumulative exposure
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Ensure full ingredient transparency, including fragrance disclosure
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Keep pace with or exceed international protections on harmful chemicals
Who can sign?
We welcome signatures from:
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Organisations and campaign groups
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Health professionals and researchers
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Parents and caregivers
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Community leaders and educators
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Individuals who support stronger protections for babies and young children
What will happen next?
The open letter will be shared with UK Government ministers and used to demonstrate growing public and sector support for stronger protections and transparency around harmful chemicals in baby products.
We will also use the letter to help build momentum for policy change and raise awareness of the urgent need for safer products for babies and families.
Add your name
Join us in calling for products designed for babies to meet the highest possible safety standards.
Find out more and take action at wen.org.uk/greenbaby
