Parents’ groups are suing the French government in a bid to force it to name brands of babies’ nappies that contain dangerous chemicals.

France’s national health agency, Anses, said in January that it had found traces of potentially toxic chemicals in disposable babies’ nappies that exceeded safety limits, but the brands concerned have never been named by the authorities.

Parents and the Child Health Association campaign group filed a joint lawsuit on Tuesday before France’s highest court, the Council of State.

They said they had written to the Health Ministry two months ago, asking for the names of the brands concerned, but never received a response.

Quentin Guillemain, a parent involved in the action, said: “We’re also asking for the withdrawal of dangerous nappies and better information for parents. This is a health emergency.”

Tests detected the presence of substances such as hydrocarbons, dioxins and perfumes at levels potentially dangerous to health. The controversial weedkiller glyphosate was also found, but in smaller quantities.

The government ordered manufacturers to take measures to eliminate the substances or reduce them as much as possible.