We are constantly exposed to a cocktail of chemicals in our daily lives, and scientists are raising the alarm about the health impacts that this exposure is linked to.

The European Union has played a critical role in introducing and bolstering protections against harmful chemicals, but there is still a lot to do to ensure we, our families, and nature are properly protected. Ambitious leaders are needed to steer the EU in a toxic-free direction and the EU elections are a crucial opportunity to elect them.

Below we showcase three areas where the EU has taken action on harmful chemicals but there is still unfinished work for the next set of decision makers.

Banning the bisphenols

Bisphenols are a group of chemicals widely used in the production of plastics. BPA, the most well-known and commonly used bisphenol, has been linked to hormonal cancers, heart disease, reproductive issues, and obesity.

In 2011 the EU banned BPA in baby bottles and in 2020 a law came into force banning the chemical in thermal paper which is used for receipts. The EU has also committed to restricting BPA and other bisphenols in certain food packaging but there is still much to do to ensure these chemicals are properly regulated to protect ourselves and nature.

Dealing with the forever chemicals, PFAS.

PFAS are a family of over 10,000 highly persistent chemicals. They hardly break down in the natural environment, which means they last for generations, giving them the nickname, the ‘forever chemicals’. They are found in a range of consumer products, including food packaging, clothing, and cosmetics. Certain PFAS have been associated with numerous health impacts such as thyroid disease, obesity, reproductive issues, and the development of certain cancers.

There have been multiple scandals in the EU highlighting  PFAS in drinking water, including in Italy, Sweden, and Belgium, and these substances have even been detected in the blood of EU leaders!

The EU has taken action on some PFAS, including restricting a subgroup of the chemicals in various uses, including food packaging and clothing. The European Parliament has supported further restrictions, for example, Members of the European Parliament pushed for these ‘forever chemicals’ to be banned in food packaging under new packaging laws, and in children’s toys.

The EU is bringing forward a restriction on the PFAS chemicals as a group. This landmark proposal is the first restriction of its kind in the world, and if adopted, would make considerable progress in protecting EU citizens and nature from these ‘forever chemicals’. Politicians will have an important role in ensuring this restriction is as protective as possible.

Action on harmful chemicals in children’s toys

Harmful chemicals have been found in children’s toys, but the EU is taking steps towards tackling the issue. In Spring 2023, the European Parliament voted unanimously to strengthen the Toys Safety Directive, supporting bans on chemicals such as PFAS and bisphenols.

However, the Council did not follow Parliament’s lead in their negotiation mandate on the revision, failing to include a group ban on bisphenols or PFAS.  The new European Parliament has a crucial role in ensuring these provisions are maintained in the final law, and that children are properly protected while they play.

Use your vote

The European Union has been a frontrunner in introducing and strengthening protections against harmful chemicals, but more needs to be done to protect us, our families, and nature. The next European Parliament can introduce measures that further shield us, provided ambitious people are in place.

Read more about the action that the EU has taken on harmful chemicals, and what still needs to be done, in our recent briefing.

Read more news.