On March 27th CHEM Trust published the "Toxic Soup" report, which examined how industry is being allowed to replace the well-known hormone disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA), with very similar chemicals that may also be harmful, for example bisphenol S (BPS). The day before we had sent letters to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the European Food Safety Authority … [Read more...] about Use of endocrine disrupting chemical BPS in thermal paper is increasing, but where’s the action?
UK confirms it would like to remain in EU chemicals law REACH, but will it meet the EU’s conditions?
In a speech on Friday March 2nd the UK Prime Minister Theresa May stated that the UK wished to discuss the possibility of remaining part of the EU chemicals agency ECHA after Brexit. CHEM Trust welcomes this announcement, but it is important to realise that the other EU governments (the EU27) will inevitably set specific conditions for such participation, and that the risk … [Read more...] about UK confirms it would like to remain in EU chemicals law REACH, but will it meet the EU’s conditions?
The secretive (and ineffective) world of EU rules controlling chemicals used in food packaging (updated)
CHEM Trust has been highlighting the severe deficiencies in the EU's regulation of chemicals in food contact materials, where the laws have big gaps (e.g. paper and card food packaging), and allow continued use of hazardous chemicals. However, we are not just concerned with the deficiencies in the regulations, but also with the secrecy with which the European Commission works … [Read more...] about The secretive (and ineffective) world of EU rules controlling chemicals used in food packaging (updated)
A move to safer chemicals? Ten years of the EU’s REACH chemicals regulation
The EUs system for regulating chemicals, REACH, came into force 10 years ago, on the 1st June 2007. It aimed to gather reliable safety data on chemicals that are used in Europe, and to control those with problems, substituting them with safer alternatives. It was one of the most complex and controversial regulatory proposals that the EU has ever produced, with many exaggerated … [Read more...] about A move to safer chemicals? Ten years of the EU’s REACH chemicals regulation
Brexit Risk Tracker highlights concerns about protection of our health & environment from hazardous chemicals
On Friday 23rd June, a year after the UK's referendum on membership of the EU, the Greener UK coalition - of which CHEM Trust is a member - published their first 'Brexit Risk Tracker'. Most of the UK's environmental protection rules are based on laws that have been agreed at EU level, so by leaving the EU, the UK risks losing these protections. The Risk Tracker, assembled by a … [Read more...] about Brexit Risk Tracker highlights concerns about protection of our health & environment from hazardous chemicals