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Greenpeace maintains pressure on console manufacturers over toxic chemicals

Speaking to the BBC, Greenpeace has yet again slammed Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft over the use of toxic substances in games machines, describing Nintendo's environment policies as "non-existent".

"Nintendo doesn't have any environmental policies, " said Zeina Al-Hajj, Greenpeace's International Toxic Campaign co-ordinator.

"We were shocked with Nintendo; it was our biggest surprise."

Greenpeace is mainly concerned that companies such as Microsoft and Nintendo are including large amounts of chemicals known as phthalates in console parts. These substances are used to soften wires and cable coatings, and are banned in the EU in toy manufacturer. Games consoles, however, are not legally classed as toys.

"We see a gap there. For us this is still a toy," said Al-Hajj.

"And whether or not it's a toy, we do not want these chemicals in our products."

A Nintendo spokesperson said, ""We fully comply with all the necessary EU Directives on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances aimed at environmental protection and consumer health and safety.

"Furthermore, in order to ensure our products are safe for use by young children we also take into consideration the standards applicable to toys."

Greenpeace now appears to be keeping regular pressure on console manufacturers over these issues: the organisation most recently issued a report on the matter in March.

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Patrick Garratt

Founder & Publisher (Former)

Patrick Garratt is a games media legend - and not just by reputation. He was named as such in the UK's 'Games Media Awards', the equivalent of a lifetime achievement award. After garnering experience on countless gaming magazines, he joined Eurogamer and later split from that brand to create VG247, putting the site on the map with fast, 24-hour a day coverage, and assembling the site's earliest editorial teams. He retired from VG247, and the games industry, in 2017.

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