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
REACH
Better protection from hazardous chemicals: actions needed in Europe’s new strategy
The European Green Deal aims to boost the efficient use of resources by moving to a clean, circular economy and aims at restoring biodiversity and cutting pollution. This requires a strong new Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability that puts words into action and adopts tools to deliver on the Commission’s Zero Pollution Ambition for a toxic-free environment. CHEM Trust's … [Read more...] about Better protection from hazardous chemicals: actions needed in Europe’s new strategy
Future EU-UK cooperation on chemicals: analysing the UK’s proposal
On the 19th May, the UK Government published its draft legal text for a free trade agreement with the EU, along with a number of annexes, including one on chemicals. This annex leaves open the possibility of sharing chemical safety data, which we view as positive; though it provides no clues as to what preconditions the UK would be prepared to accept in return for such access. … [Read more...] about Future EU-UK cooperation on chemicals: analysing the UK’s proposal
Brexit and Chemicals: Potential future partnership arrangements between the UK and ECHA
At the end of January 2020 the UK left the EU and entered a 'transition' period where EU laws continue to apply in the UK, while negotiations are underway to agree a long-term trade agreement. CHEM Trust's analysis is that the best outcome for chemicals regulation in both the UK and EU is for the UK to remain close to the EU's REACH chemicals regulatory system and the EU … [Read more...] about Brexit and Chemicals: Potential future partnership arrangements between the UK and ECHA
Is the EU finally set to update its outdated laws on chemicals in food contact materials?
EU regulation of chemicals in food contact (FCM) applications, such as packaging, pipes or cooking equipment, is a strange world about which many readers focusing on REACH, RoHS or BPR may have little knowledge. I first noticed these laws after starting as Executive Director of CHEM Trust in 2014 and was amazed to discover the EU had built a system to create a positive list … [Read more...] about Is the EU finally set to update its outdated laws on chemicals in food contact materials?
UK MPs quiz CHEM Trust and others on concerns about planned UK REACH
A future UK REACH regime will be a “hollow shell” and will not be able to replicate the EU’s protections post-Brexit, said CHEM Trust in its evidence to a hearing in the UK Parliament on 12th March. Dr Michael Warhurst, CHEM Trust’s Executive Director, gave evidence to the public bill committee that has been set up to scrutinise the Environment Bill - alongside Nishma Patel, … [Read more...] about UK MPs quiz CHEM Trust and others on concerns about planned UK REACH
European Commission launches “European Green Deal”, stepping up action on chemicals
The European Commission President Ursula van der Leyen today launched a "European Green Deal", which includes a plan to produce a new "Chemicals strategy for sustainability" by June 2020. The Green Deal states that this strategy will include action on a number of CHEM Trust's priorities, including Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, combination (mixture) effects and very persistent … [Read more...] about European Commission launches “European Green Deal”, stepping up action on chemicals
Regulating chemicals: is putting a price on health impacts unrealistic and misleading?
If a chemical threatens health or the environment, shouldn't it just be replaced by safer alternatives? Or should regulators try to calculate a 'cost' for this harm to health or the environment (e.g. the cost of someone getting breast cancer), and then compare this with any costs involved in replacing the chemical? You may think it strange, but this is what often really happens … [Read more...] about Regulating chemicals: is putting a price on health impacts unrealistic and misleading?
Action on ‘GenX’: Another ‘forever chemical’ added to the EU list of substances of very high concern
In June this year, EU Government experts voted unanimously in favour of adding GenX chemicals1 (a small group of fluorinated chemicals) to the EU list of substances of very high concern (SHVC), which is a first step in increasing regulatory controls over them. CHEM Trust submitted comments supporting this recommendation, due to our concerns about their probable serious … [Read more...] about Action on ‘GenX’: Another ‘forever chemical’ added to the EU list of substances of very high concern
Brexit: UK Government commits to not ‘undermine’ public participation and stakeholder involvement in chemical laws
On 4th June CHEM Trust's lawyers Leigh Day sent a legal letter to the UK Government, arguing that their proposed post-Brexit rules for chemicals and pesticides were not a proper reflection of the EU laws they were supposed to be copying. These laws would enter into force in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Since this letter, the Government re-drafted the pesticides rules, … [Read more...] about Brexit: UK Government commits to not ‘undermine’ public participation and stakeholder involvement in chemical laws