**Update: MEPs voted to reject the Commission's proposal to allow higher levels of lead in recycled PVC on Wednesday 12th February, with 394 votes for, 241 votes against and 13 abstentions** Some PVC plastic waste - for example from old PVC window frames - contains lead, a well-known health hazard which is no longer used in new PVC produced in the EU. This has led to … [Read more...] about MEPs to vote on contaminated PVC recycling – A clean or a dirty circular economy for Europe?
Circular Economy
UK MPs back CHEM Trust’s priorities in new report on Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life
Today, the UK Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) published a new report on 'Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life' following its inquiry into the subject. The EAC declare that "current regulation does not account for the cocktail of chemicals we are exposed to", and that hazardous chemicals are now "ubiquitous in humans and the environment". The committee makes a wide … [Read more...] about UK MPs back CHEM Trust’s priorities in new report on Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Life
Hazardous chemicals in plastic packaging: an initial analysis
CHEM Trust has joined an important collaboration of NGOs and academic scientists looking at the topical and crucial issue of hazardous chemicals in plastic packaging. As we all know, use of plastic packaging is increasing globally, causing environmental and human health concerns. In 2015 annual plastic production was 380Mt, of which about 40 per cent was used in packaging, … [Read more...] about Hazardous chemicals in plastic packaging: an initial analysis
EU announces plan to restrict plastic microbeads and oxo-degradable plastics
Today, the 16th January 2018, the EU Commission released its long-expected Plastics Strategy. The Strategy includes an announcement that the Commission has started the process to ban both intentionally added microplastics and oxo-degradable plastics. Both these bans will be implemented as Restrictions under the EU's main chemicals law REACH. The Commission also announced a a … [Read more...] about EU announces plan to restrict plastic microbeads and oxo-degradable plastics
Chemicals and the Circular Economy
A Circular Economy is an important component of a future-focussed, sustainable, economy. However, chemicals can disrupt this circular economy, for example where banned chemicals are present in a product that is to be recycled (e.g. furniture). In our view, the focus should be on creating a clean circular economy - anything else will risk undermining public confidence in the … [Read more...] about Chemicals and the Circular Economy
Killer whales under threat from persistent PCB chemicals, yet emissions continue
PCBs (Polychlorinated Biphenyls) are a group of chemicals which were produced in large quantities by companies such as Monsanto, and were widely used in electrical equipment, sealants and paints. Their production was phased out in the mid 1980’s in Europe, and they are now banned by the global Stockholm convention, as they were found to be toxic and to accumulate in wildlife … [Read more...] about Killer whales under threat from persistent PCB chemicals, yet emissions continue
Fit for what? CHEM Trust’s views on the current evaluation of the EU’s main chemicals law REACH
The EU’s REACH chemicals law aims to ensure that chemicals are safely manufactured and used, so as to protect human health and the environment, at the same time as enhancing innovation and the competitiveness of EU industry. REACH includes requirements on companies to provide – and use – safety information on chemicals, and provides mechanisms to ban or control the use of … [Read more...] about Fit for what? CHEM Trust’s views on the current evaluation of the EU’s main chemicals law REACH
New EU circular economy plan aims to promote non-toxic material cycles
The European Commission has today launched a new set of policies on the Circular Economy. Many environmental groups are rightly criticising a weakening in many areas, including recycling targets. However, the new 'Closing the loop' Action Plan does include a plan to analyse and propose options in order "to reduce the presence and improve the tracking of chemicals of concern in … [Read more...] about New EU circular economy plan aims to promote non-toxic material cycles
The Circular economy: To get it right we must address hazardous chemicals
A Circular Economy is an important component of a future-focussed, sustainable, economy, and CHEM Trust therefore welcomes the European Commission's current consultation on the Circular Economy. We have submitted a briefing to the consultation making recommendations for policies that are needed in order to ensure that the circular economy doesn't end up perpetuating the use of … [Read more...] about The Circular economy: To get it right we must address hazardous chemicals
CHEM Trust joins with other NGOs to highlight the importance of REACH to the Circular Economy
The debate on the 'Circular Economy' is hotting up, as the Juncker Commission tries to work out what changes it is going to make to the existing proposal to make it 'more ambitious'. CHEM Trust have already pointed out the importance of chemical regulation - in particular REACH - in cleaning up the circular economy. We've now joined with European Environmental Bureau (EEB), … [Read more...] about CHEM Trust joins with other NGOs to highlight the importance of REACH to the Circular Economy