Tanzania is facing growing concerns over the lack of specific regulations to control hazardous chemicals used in plastic products, with environmental groups warning that consumers and ecosystems may be exposed to long-term health risks due to weak chemical oversight.
In a joint statement, the Action for Environmental and Responsible Development (Action for Environmental and Responsible Development (AGENDA)) and the International Pollutants Elimination Network (International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN)) said Tanzania has not yet established clear limits, monitoring systems, or product standards for chemicals such as phthalates and bisphenols, despite their widespread use in plastic manufacturing and packaging materials.
The organisations noted that while the country has made progress in addressing plastic waste management, including the 2019 ban on plastic carrier bags, existing legal frameworks do not comprehensively regulate chemical additives throughout the full lifecycle of plastic products. They warned that this gap leaves room for harmful substances to enter consumer goods without sufficient testing or public disclosure.
Phthalates are commonly used to soften plastics, especially polyvinyl chloride (PVC), making them flexible and durable for use in products such as containers, packaging films and household items. Bisphenols, including bisphenol A (BPA), are used to harden plastics and are commonly found in polycarbonate materials used for food and beverage containers and other rigid plastic products.
According to the statement, these chemicals are present in both imported and locally manufactured plastic goods, depending on production standards and product grades. The groups stressed that consumers may be exposed to these substances through everyday use of plastic containers, bottles, and packaging materials.
The environmental groups warned that phthalates and bisphenols pose significant risks to human health and the environment. These chemicals can leach from plastic products into food and beverages, including drinking water, milk, and juices, especially when exposed to heat or prolonged use. This raises concerns about chronic exposure over time, even at low levels.
Health risks associated with exposure include reproductive health disorders, hormonal disruption, obesity, diabetes, asthma, and certain types of cancer. The groups also highlighted potential impacts on children’s development, including neurodevelopmental effects and behavioural changes such as hyperactivity, anxiety, and learning difficulties.
Recent observations cited in the document also indicate that phthalate contamination has been detected in environmental samples along the Dar es Salaam coastline, as well as in bottled drinking water. These findings, according to the organisations, confirm that chemical pollutants linked to plastics are already present in Tanzania’s environment and consumer supply chains.
Improper disposal of plastic waste further compounds the problem. When plastics break down in landfills, rivers, or coastal areas, they may release chemical additives into soil and water systems, increasing environmental contamination and affecting aquatic life and food chains.
Tanzania currently relies on broader legal and policy instruments to regulate environmental health and chemical safety. These include the Environmental Management (Prohibition of Plastic Carrier Bags) Regulations of 2019, the Industrial and Consumer Chemicals (Management and Control) Regulations of 2020, and the National Environmental Policy of 2021. However, the organisations argue that these frameworks do not specifically target hazardous additives such as phthalates and bisphenols in plastics.
They say the absence of dedicated standards for chemical additives in plastics creates a regulatory gap that limits enforcement, monitoring, and risk assessment. Without product-level regulations, authorities face challenges in tracking chemical content in imported goods and domestic production.
The groups are now calling for the government to introduce targeted regulations that set clear limits on hazardous chemicals in plastic products, strengthen monitoring systems, and require greater transparency from manufacturers and importers. They also recommend mandatory testing and labelling of plastic products to inform consumers about chemical content.
In addition, the organisations are urging expanded scientific research to assess contamination levels across humans, animals, water bodies, soil, and food systems in Tanzania. They argue that local data is essential for designing effective national standards and for supporting policy decisions.
Public awareness is another key priority highlighted in the statement. The groups are calling for nationwide education campaigns to inform communities about the risks associated with chemical additives in plastics and safe handling practices for plastic products in daily use.
The statement comes as Tanzania participates in global negotiations under the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) process aimed at developing a legally binding global treaty to end plastic pollution. Environmental advocates say this presents an important opportunity for Tanzania to align its national laws with emerging international standards.
The organisations have urged negotiators involved in the Global Plastic Treaty discussions, including the ongoing sessions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.4), to ensure that the final agreement covers the full lifecycle of plastics. This includes production, use, disposal, and the regulation of chemical additives such as phthalates and bisphenols.
They further stress that strong global commitments on chemical safety should be reflected in national policies, ensuring that countries like Tanzania are equipped with the tools and standards needed to protect public health and the environment.
The document also includes a broader call for coordinated action between government institutions, research bodies, civil society organisations, and international partners to address chemical pollution in plastics more effectively.
Ms. Dorah Swai, Executive Secretary of the organisation, is listed as a contact person for further information, with the groups emphasizing the need for urgent policy attention as plastic use continues to expand across industrial and consumer sectors in Tanzania.
