This September, CHEM Trust will be hosting an event at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, in partnership with The Rivers Trust, and SERA, Labour’s environment campaign. The theme will be, ‘Clean water, clear future: How Labour can reverse the chemical crisis in our rivers’. Monday 28th September, 11:00-12:00 Outside the secure zone, RSVP for more details Focus … [Read more...] about Clean Water, Clear Future: How Labour can reverse the chemical crisis in our rivers
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Forever polluted? The health and environmental threats of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’
CHEM Trust will be hosting an event at the Liberal Democrat Party conference this year in Brighton, in partnership with the Green Liberal Democrats, titled, ‘Forever polluted? The health and environmental threats of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’’ Sunday 20th September, 12:15-13:15 Outside the secure zone, RSVP for more details Focus of the event: The ‘forever chemicals’ … [Read more...] about Forever polluted? The health and environmental threats of PFAS ‘forever chemicals’
Head in the sand: The UK government’s response to Parliament’s PFAS inquiry
In 2025, the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) launched an inquiry into whether the UK government's plans to tackle PFAS pollution are adequate. Drawing on evidence from scientists, regulators, affected communities, industry and environmental organisations, including CHEM Trust, the Committee recently concluded its inquiry and produced a detailed set of recommendations, … [Read more...] about Head in the sand: The UK government’s response to Parliament’s PFAS inquiry
Putting Toxic Toys in the Hotseat at the UK Parliament
On Tuesday 7th July, CHEM Trust and the Child Accident and Prevention Trust jointly ran a parliamentary event hosted by MP Ruth Jones, ex-Shadow Minister for chemicals and MP for Newport West and Islwyn. MPs dropped in to learn about how out of date the UK’s toy safety regulation is, and the need for the UK to match the EU’s recent revamp to toy safety regulation. The EU’s … [Read more...] about Putting Toxic Toys in the Hotseat at the UK Parliament
New UK government proposals could change the game for harmful flame retardant use in furniture
The UK government is running a consultation on proposed changes to the UK’s furniture fire safety regulation, which closes 23rd of June. If introduced, the changes will reduce the furniture sector’s reliance on flame retardants. CHEM Trust and other NGOs have been calling for these changes for years. High use of chemical flame retardants in the UK is driven by fire safety … [Read more...] about New UK government proposals could change the game for harmful flame retardant use in furniture
EU experts decide on first chemicals to be classified as either endocrine disrupting or persistent and mobile
For the first time, EU regulatory experts on chemicals have recommended the classification of two chemicals using the new hazard classes for endocrine disruptors and persistent chemicals, which were introduced in 2023. Following discussions in the European Chemical Agency (ECHA)’s expert Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) last week, new opinions were adopted by consensus, based … [Read more...] about EU experts decide on first chemicals to be classified as either endocrine disrupting or persistent and mobile
Europe’s PFAS crisis: the universal PFAS ban has to meet the challenge
PFAS pollution is widespread across Europe. According to the Forever Pollution Project, nearly 23,000 sites across the continent are already contaminated with PFAS, while a further 21,500 sites are suspected of pollution (read more about PFAS here). CHEM Trust responded to the recently concluded public consultation on the proposed universal PFAS restriction conducted by the … [Read more...] about Europe’s PFAS crisis: the universal PFAS ban has to meet the challenge
6 years since Farm to Fork – harmful chemicals are still on our plates!
Exactly 6 years ago, on 20th May 2020 the European Commission acknowledged the need to revise the EU’s legislation on food contact materials (FCMs) as part of the Farm to Fork Strategy. But several years on, no legal proposal has been published, which means that harmful chemicals can continue to be used in FCMs, migrating from them into our foods, and landing on our … [Read more...] about 6 years since Farm to Fork – harmful chemicals are still on our plates!
Toxic-free childcare products – Europe’s fast track restriction in the slow lane
The European Commission is in the final stages of restricting some of the most harmful chemicals used in childcare products, nine years after first identifying this as a problem. The measure uses a fast-track restriction procedure for chemicals that are cancer-causing, modify genetic material, and/or are toxic to the reproductive system (CMRs) found in consumer products. The … [Read more...] about Toxic-free childcare products – Europe’s fast track restriction in the slow lane
Committee of MPs recommends strong action on ‘Forever Chemicals’
Today, the Environmental Audit Committee published its report on its inquiry into per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as the ‘forever chemicals’. The inquiry, launched in April 2025, follows years of growing concern about the state of uncontrolled and widespread PFAS pollution in the UK. The findings deliver a damning verdict on the UK’s handling of the PFAS … [Read more...] about Committee of MPs recommends strong action on ‘Forever Chemicals’
