Today the Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled against chemicals company Chemours Netherlands in its appeal against the identification of ‘GenX’ chemicals as a ‘substance of very high concern’ by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). GenX chemicals are commonly used in the manufacture of non-stick products, but are associated with major health concerns, being … [Read more...] about EU court again rules against Chemours on GenX ‘forever chemicals’
Policy
Von der Leyen Commission fails in its responsibility to publish a proposal to improve EU chemical law REACH, despite promises in the Green Deal
This afternoon the European Commission published its work plan for 2024, and this document failed to mention the reform of Europe's main law on chemicals used in everyday products, REACH. The reform of REACH is a key component of the EU's Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS), published three years ago on 14th October 2020, which was described as a "new long-term vision … [Read more...] about Von der Leyen Commission fails in its responsibility to publish a proposal to improve EU chemical law REACH, despite promises in the Green Deal
Will Commissioner Šefcovic commit to reform REACH?
We have entered the final countdown for the publication of a proposal to revise the EU's main chemicals legislation REACH by the current Europe Commission team. One year ago, Commissioner Šefcovic presented the 2023 Commission work programme to the European Parliament, which stated that the REACH revision would be published in Q4 - which begins this week. The Commission … [Read more...] about Will Commissioner Šefcovic commit to reform REACH?
EU pledge for toxic-free products at risk, as shown by internal Commission documents
Today marks 1,000 days since the European Commission made a pledge in its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability to ban the most harmful chemicals from all consumer products, through a revision of the EU’s chemicals safety law, REACH. The revision was promised for the end of 2022, but EU Commissioners decided to delay it after lobbying from the German chemicals industry. This … [Read more...] about EU pledge for toxic-free products at risk, as shown by internal Commission documents
How is the UK Government planning to tackle exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals?
At the end of March, rules to introduce new hazard classes for the classification, labelling and packaging of substances in the EU were published. This is a very important milestone towards much better protection from endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) as it also includes a new category of suspected endocrine disruptors. Until recently it has been unclear what action the … [Read more...] about How is the UK Government planning to tackle exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals?
Waiting longer for a reformed REACH is damaging health, environment and business
CHEM Trust and EEB have today published a report, "Waiting for REACH: The negative impacts of delaying reform of EU chemical laws" which examines the impacts of the European Commission's continued delay in publishing its proposal for improving Europe's key law on chemical safety, REACH. On 14th October 2020, the Commission published its "Chemicals Strategy for … [Read more...] about Waiting longer for a reformed REACH is damaging health, environment and business
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
Has the EU’s toxic-free environment goal become a victim of Putin’s war?
2023 will be a decisive year for the future of the EU's chemicals policy. The Commission has been working hard for over two years to reform the policy centrepiece, REACH, and make it fit to deliver the Green Deal’s toxic-free objective. But we are still awaiting the results. There is little time left before MEPs wind down their legislative work ahead of the … [Read more...] about Has the EU’s toxic-free environment goal become a victim of Putin’s war?
What’s the plan for managing harmful chemicals in the UK?
Before the turmoil in British politics of the last couple of months, NGOs had hoped a draft UK Chemicals Strategy would be published for public consultation before the end of the year. A strategy was first promised over four years ago - to set out the UK’s approach, post-Brexit, to ensuring chemicals are safely used and managed. Over the past year stakeholders have been … [Read more...] about What’s the plan for managing harmful chemicals in the UK?
