CHEM Trust and EEB have today published a report, "Waiting for REACH: The negative impacts of delaying reform of EU chemical laws" which examines the impacts of the European Commission's continued delay in publishing its proposal for improving Europe's key law on chemical safety, REACH. On 14th October 2020, the Commission published its "Chemicals Strategy for … [Read more...] about Waiting longer for a reformed REACH is damaging health, environment and business
REACH
Chemical safety testing as part of a stronger REACH, protecting health & environment, promoting alternative methods
Chemicals are an indispensable part of our daily life; some are harmless, while many may have harmful effects. But how do we properly assess whether chemicals are harmful or not? We need to assess how toxic a chemical may be, but also what its behaviour is in the environment - does it accumulate in organisms, including in our bodies? Does it stick around in the environment? … [Read more...] about Chemical safety testing as part of a stronger REACH, protecting health & environment, promoting alternative methods
Has the EU’s toxic-free environment goal become a victim of Putin’s war?
2023 will be a decisive year for the future of the EU's chemicals policy. The Commission has been working hard for over two years to reform the policy centrepiece, REACH, and make it fit to deliver the Green Deal’s toxic-free objective. But we are still awaiting the results. There is little time left before MEPs wind down their legislative work ahead of the … [Read more...] about Has the EU’s toxic-free environment goal become a victim of Putin’s war?
Chemical pollution: EU Commission casts doubt over future of a toxic-free Green Deal due to German industry pressure
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
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
This International Women’s Day, Dr Olwenn V Martin talks to CHEM Trust about her research on chemicals and hopes for future regulation
To celebrate women who have excelled in science, CHEM Trust sat down with Dr Olwenn V Martin, Lecturer in Global Challenges at Brunel University, London, to discuss her research on chemicals, chemical policy and hopes for future regulation. Building on an academic interdisciplinary background in Natural Sciences and Social Sciences, Dr Martin has expertise in the translation … [Read more...] about This International Women’s Day, Dr Olwenn V Martin talks to CHEM Trust about her research on chemicals and hopes for future regulation
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