Phthalates are a group of chemicals. They are commonly used as plasticizers for plastics to make them flexible.
Produced at several million tonnes per year, phthalates are present everywhere in our environment (cosmetics, food, paint, clothing, toys, etc.). Some phthalates have been classified as toxic to human reproduction. In Europe, measures have been taken to limit or even ban the use of certain phthalates in cosmetics, toys, products that can be put in the mouth, medical devices and food contact materials.