At the end of 2025, several important initiatives were published, including a crucial report that should not be missed. After some delay, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) finally published a report on the state of the science on endocrine disrupters under the Globally Harmonised System (GHS). The GHS is a globally recognised UN system which … [Read more...] about Important OECD report shows the way forward for global hazard classes on endocrine disruptors
Lessons learnt from “forever chemicals” restriction highlight the need for REACH reform.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) pollution is pervasive across Europe. According to the Forever Pollution Project, almost 23,000 European sites are already polluted with PFAS, and a further 21,500 sites are suspected to be contaminated. These ‘forever chemicals’ are in our food, drinking water, air, soil, rivers, oceans - and our bodies. In some areas, pollution … [Read more...] about Lessons learnt from “forever chemicals” restriction highlight the need for REACH reform.
New publication highlights mixture effects in blood from pregnant women
A new paper published in the scientific journal Science illustrates the widespread exposure of people to a whole range of problematic chemicals. The paper, Neurotoxic mixture effects of chemicals extracted from blood of pregnant women, demonstrates the potential for individual chemicals to be more harmful when acting together. Researchers from the Helmholtz-Centre of … [Read more...] about New publication highlights mixture effects in blood from pregnant women
Chemical safety testing as part of a stronger REACH, protecting health & environment, promoting alternative methods
Chemicals are an indispensable part of our daily life; some are harmless, while many may have harmful effects. But how do we properly assess whether chemicals are harmful or not? We need to assess how toxic a chemical may be, but also what its behaviour is in the environment - does it accumulate in organisms, including in our bodies? Does it stick around in the environment? … [Read more...] about Chemical safety testing as part of a stronger REACH, protecting health & environment, promoting alternative methods
Restriction for BPA and bisphenols of similar concern: small steps forward, but the piecemeal approach continues
CHEM Trust has raised the alarm about the endocrine (hormone) disrupting properties of the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) for many years, highlighting that it is found in people and the environment. Unfortunately BPA is still in widespread use, as it is only banned in the EU in a few products such as baby bottles and thermal paper. But what is equally concerning is the increase in … [Read more...] about Restriction for BPA and bisphenols of similar concern: small steps forward, but the piecemeal approach continues
Commission moves forward on new hazard classes for endocrine disruptors and persistent and mobile chemicals
Last week CHEM Trust submitted their comments to the Europe Commissions’ public consultation on the proposals to introduce new hazard classes for identifying harmful chemicals. These amendments to the EU’s Regulation for the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP) are an essential part of the European Green Deal and commitments made in the EU … [Read more...] about Commission moves forward on new hazard classes for endocrine disruptors and persistent and mobile chemicals
EU Court hearing on GenX: company Chemours challenges EU authority
Today CHEM Trust together with ClientEarth (the environmental law charity) are participating in a public hearing at the Court of Justice of the European Union. Both organisations are supporting the EU Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the Government of the Netherlands against a challenge by the chemical company Chemours regarding the identification of their compounds, known as … [Read more...] about EU Court hearing on GenX: company Chemours challenges EU authority
2021, a decisive year for action against endocrine disrupting chemicals in the EU?
A new year provides an opportunity to reflect on achievements in the past year, and to prioritise actions in the year ahead. In CHEM Trust's analysis, one vital objective is for the EU to improve the protection of people and wildlife from endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Of the many serious and irreversible effects EDCs may have on important body functions, CHEM Trust … [Read more...] about 2021, a decisive year for action against endocrine disrupting chemicals in the EU?
High time for the EU to protect us from exposure to chemical mixtures
In real life we are all exposed to hundreds of chemicals from multiple sources including from food, consumer products, household dust and drinking water. The environment - rivers, oceans and countryside - is also polluted by hundreds of different substances, including pesticides, plasticisers, flame retardants and pharmaceuticals. However, current safety assessments of … [Read more...] about High time for the EU to protect us from exposure to chemical mixtures
EU fitness check on endocrine disruptors must lead to urgent, protective action
At the end of last week the European Commission's stakeholder consultation on the fitness check on European Union legislation on endocrine disruptors closed. Chemicals such as the bisphenols, phthalates, PFAS and some flame retardants, which are used in many everyday products from furnishings and toys to food packaging and cosmetics, have all been found to disrupt the … [Read more...] about EU fitness check on endocrine disruptors must lead to urgent, protective action
