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
CSS
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
2021, a decisive year for action against endocrine disrupting chemicals in the EU?
A new year provides an opportunity to reflect on achievements in the past year, and to prioritise actions in the year ahead. In CHEM Trust's analysis, one vital objective is for the EU to improve the protection of people and wildlife from endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Of the many serious and irreversible effects EDCs may have on important body functions, CHEM Trust … [Read more...] about 2021, a decisive year for action against endocrine disrupting chemicals in the EU?
European Commission takes first step towards toxic-free food packaging
On Friday 18th December 2020, the European Commission finally kicked off a revision of EU laws on chemicals in food contact materials (FCM), with the publication of an Inception Impact Assessment (IIA) for consultation. Almost everything we eat has been in contact with one or more FCMs, including food packaging, factory equipment and kitchen utensils; since 2014 CHEM Trust has … [Read more...] about European Commission takes first step towards toxic-free food packaging
New EU chemicals strategy promises a more protective approach to regulating chemicals in food contact materials
On 14th October the European Commission published a new Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) as part of the delivery of the EU’s zero pollution ambition in the European Green Deal. The strategy announces a range of actions that will better protect health and the environment from harmful chemicals, including plans to ban some of the most harmful chemicals in consumer … [Read more...] about New EU chemicals strategy promises a more protective approach to regulating chemicals in food contact materials
CHEM Trust welcomes the European Commission’s new Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
In our initial comments on the new Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, our Executive Director Michael Warhurst said today: "CHEM Trust welcomes the European Commission’s new Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, published today, however it is important that the new commitments in the strategy are rapidly transformed into action in the real world. This strategy has the … [Read more...] about CHEM Trust welcomes the European Commission’s new Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability