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 Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability; contributing to the minimisation of people’s exposure to EDCs and other harmful substances.
The revision of the CLP regulation has been a long process with many experts and stakeholders involved. CHEM Trust has closely followed the work in the related Commission expert group over the last two years.
As a member of the EDCFree NGO coalition we welcomed the publication of the proposal as it is important for CLP to catch up with the scientific state of play. The proposed delegated act will finally ensure the regulation adapts to the scientific and technical progress that has been made.
Our recommendations
CHEM Trust particularly supports the introduction of new hazard classes for endocrine disruptors, with two categories reflecting the different level of evidence available for the substances’ properties.
CHEM Trust also welcomes the introduction of new hazard classes for chemicals with persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) properties, and very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) properties. The new classes for persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT) and very persistent and very mobile (vPvM) substances are another important addition, in particular for protecting drinking water resources.
In addition, the proposal will ensure transparency in supply chains and promote a global effort to increase the level of protection by introducing these hazard classes into the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).
Pia Juul Nielsen, EDC science and policy expert at CHEM Trust, said:
“The identification of endocrine disruptors and other substances of concern has been far too slow over the past years. The new hazard classes and in particular the category 2 for EDCs is needed and is a first step to accelerate regulatory action and trigger more substitution efforts in supply chains.”
Next steps
The Commission is expected to publish the final proposal in November and move towards adoption in February 2023.
