A new Hollywood film ‘Dark Waters’ highlights the dire reality of pollution from harmful PFAS chemicals and the urgent need for strong, protective legislation to protect human health and the environment. PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) are known as the 'forever chemicals' as they do not break down easily and will persist in the environment for decades. PFAS … [Read more...] about New Hollywood film ‘Dark Waters’ highlights the shocking reality of PFAS pollution
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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
Chemical pollution, a key driver of the biodiversity crisis
In December 2019, the European Commission launched a “European Green Deal” as a response to climate and environmental-related challenges defining our generation. The European Commission has started consulting on the roadmap of some of the strategies listed in the green deal, including the EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy. This week CHEM Trust submitted comments to the European … [Read more...] about Chemical pollution, a key driver of the biodiversity crisis
EU fitness check on endocrine disruptors, another delay or potential game changer?
At the end of 2019 the European Commission opened a stakeholder consultation on a fitness check on European Union legislation on endocrine disruptors. The fitness check aims to look at the coherence of different regulatory approaches to the assessment and management of endocrine disruptors; asking if the current legislation delivers its objectives to protect human health and … [Read more...] about EU fitness check on endocrine disruptors, another delay or potential game changer?
We write to the new EU Health Commissioner urging action on chemicals in food contact materials
On 1st December a new European Commission started its five year term, and during their first week in office, CHEM Trust sent a letter to the new EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, reminding her of the urgent need for reform of EU laws on chemicals in food contact materials. Our letter set out the multiple concerns that CHEM Trust has regarding the … [Read more...] about We write to the new EU Health Commissioner urging action on chemicals in food contact materials
European Commission launches “European Green Deal”, stepping up action on chemicals
The European Commission President Ursula van der Leyen today launched a "European Green Deal", which includes a plan to produce a new "Chemicals strategy for sustainability" by June 2020. The Green Deal states that this strategy will include action on a number of CHEM Trust's priorities, including Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, combination (mixture) effects and very persistent … [Read more...] about European Commission launches “European Green Deal”, stepping up action on chemicals
It all adds up: the chemical cost of receipts
Heather McFarlane of environmental charity Fidra (www.fidra.org.uk) explores the hidden costs of receipts and the chemicals retailers are handing you every time you shop. Whether it is Black Friday, Christmas shopping or refreshing your winter wardrobe, at this time of year everybody seems to be heading to the shops and racking up receipts. But are we picking up more than we … [Read more...] about It all adds up: the chemical cost of receipts
How a US-UK trade deal threatens our protection from hazardous chemicals
Update: Today (27th November) government documents were leaked detailing meetings between the Department of International Trade and US officials in which regulatory cooperation was discussed. A central tenet of Brexit has long been the promise of free trade agreements for the UK outside the EU. Specifically, a US-UK trade deal is trumpeted as the single biggest economic … [Read more...] about How a US-UK trade deal threatens our protection from hazardous chemicals
CHEM Trust urges UK Food Standards Agency to take action on PFAS chemical pollution
CHEM Trust has written to the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) to urge action on harmful ‘Forever Chemicals’, PFAS. Our letter follows our recently published briefing on PFAS, a large family of over 4,000 perfluorinated chemicals to which people are being exposed via drinking water, food and consumer products. Our letter highlights important questions regarding the setting of … [Read more...] about CHEM Trust urges UK Food Standards Agency to take action on PFAS chemical pollution
Urgent action needed on highly persistent PFAS chemicals
A new CHEM Trust briefing highlights the threats posed to the environment and human health by a family of over 4,000 highly persistent chemicals: PFAS (Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances), also known as the ‘forever chemicals’. CHEM Trust is extremely concerned that, because of their high persistence, this group of chemicals could lead to a situation where their … [Read more...] about Urgent action needed on highly persistent PFAS chemicals