It is being reported that the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will decide, in a meeting on Tuesday, to delay the planned publication of a revised EU chemicals law REACH from early 2023 to the end of 2023, and to refocus it on German industry concerns, casting doubt on the future of the European Green Deal’s toxic free agenda. By publishing the proposal so … [Read more...] about Chemical pollution: EU Commission casts doubt over future of a toxic-free Green Deal due to German industry pressure
CSS
European civil society organisations launch the ‘Ban PFAS manifesto’
Today marks the launch of our joint NGOs Ban PFAS manifesto. The manifesto, which is signed by over 45 organisations, is calling for EU Member States and the Commission to urgently ban PFAS, the ‘forever chemicals’, in consumer products by 2025 and across all uses by 2030. Two years ago, the European Commission published its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability including a … [Read more...] about European civil society organisations launch the ‘Ban PFAS manifesto’
New EU roadmap proposes action to ban some of the most hazardous chemicals from consumer products
Yesterday the European Commission published the "Restrictions Roadmap", a new plan to restrict the use of a number of groups of chemicals, including bisphenols, phthalates, PFAS and flame retardants. The chemicals concerned all have severe hazards, including endocrine disruption, cancer-causing properties and persistence in the environment. They are routinely used in a wide … [Read more...] about New EU roadmap proposes action to ban some of the most hazardous chemicals from consumer products
Chemical Cocktails – The neglected threat of toxic mixtures and how to fix it
A new CHEM Trust report “Chemical cocktails - The neglected threat of toxic mixtures and how to fix it”, highlights the reality of our exposure to multiple chemicals, the threat it represents to our health and the wider environment and why we are not properly protected. In the report we call for urgent action from the EU to better protect people and the wider environment … [Read more...] about Chemical Cocktails – The neglected threat of toxic mixtures and how to fix it
A history of ineffective action on BPA, and the lessons for reform of EU chemical laws
Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in coatings and certain plastics, has been controversial for many years as evidence has mounted of its endocrine disrupting effects. Two important events happened at the end of 2021 to increase the pressure on this chemical. Firstly, the EU food safety agency EFSA proposed a massive 100,000-fold reduction in the safe level for BPA in … [Read more...] about A history of ineffective action on BPA, and the lessons for reform of EU chemical laws
The chemical industry cries wolf yet again on plans to improve protection from hazardous chemicals
The European Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) sets out the actions needed for chemicals management in delivering the European Green Deal, a toxic-free environment and zero-pollution. All of which are priorities for the EU Commission with the aim of enhancing environmental and health protection, while setting a path towards a more sustainable chemical … [Read more...] about The chemical industry cries wolf yet again on plans to improve protection from hazardous chemicals
The EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability – one year on
We are facing a chemical pollution crisis: a cocktail of synthetic chemicals in hundreds of everyday products is putting human health and wildlife at risk. While the EU’s chemical legislation REACH is world-leading, it has been too slow in identifying and regulating the most hazardous chemicals. There are also gaps in the way that the EU regulates chemicals in some product … [Read more...] about The EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability – one year on
The polluting chemical in our sofas – and polar bears – that shows that REACH controls are failing
Some people may think that chemicals have to be shown to be safe before they are used the products in our homes. Unfortunately, this is not yet the case and in this blog we will examine a chemical that is routinely used in sofas and which has been described as 'inert' by one company. Meanwhile, scientists have found that it contaminates polar bears in the Arctic, dust in our … [Read more...] about The polluting chemical in our sofas – and polar bears – that shows that REACH controls are failing
Hormone disrupting chemicals may also harm children’s brains – scientists call for action
Phthalates and bisphenols are names of groups of chemicals that are becoming part of everyday language. Many people are learning that these synthetic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can be found in our bodies, and that we should avoid everyday products containing them. CHEM Trust has long been concerned about the wide variety of uses of phthalates and their presence in … [Read more...] about Hormone disrupting chemicals may also harm children’s brains – scientists call for action
EU governments support reset of EU’s chemicals policy
This week the European Commission received the unanimous backing for a rapid and ambitious delivery of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) from EU governments. CHEM Trust welcomes the Council conclusions “Sustainable Chemicals Strategy: Time to deliver”. EU Governments have approved actions that will amount to a resetting of chemicals policy, which is needed to … [Read more...] about EU governments support reset of EU’s chemicals policy