The European Commission is in the final stages of restricting some of the most harmful chemicals used in childcare products, nine years after first identifying this as a problem. The measure uses a fast-track restriction procedure for chemicals that are cancer-causing, modify genetic material, and/or are toxic to the reproductive system (CMRs) found in consumer products. The … [Read more...] about Toxic-free childcare products – Europe’s fast track restriction in the slow lane
Regulation
The UK PFAS Action Plan falls short in addressing the crisis we face
This week, the UK government published its long-awaited PFAS Action Plan, setting out how it intends to respond to the growing crisis posed by the 'forever chemicals'. While CHEM Trust welcomes the government’s acknowledgement that PFAS pose a serious risk to human health and the environment, the plan, in our view, does not yet deliver the decisive action needed to protect … [Read more...] about The UK PFAS Action Plan falls short in addressing the crisis we face
Lessons learnt from “forever chemicals” restriction highlight the need for REACH reform.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) pollution is pervasive across Europe. According to the Forever Pollution Project, almost 23,000 European sites are already polluted with PFAS, and a further 21,500 sites are suspected to be contaminated. These ‘forever chemicals’ are in our food, drinking water, air, soil, rivers, oceans - and our bodies. In some areas, pollution … [Read more...] about Lessons learnt from “forever chemicals” restriction highlight the need for REACH reform.
Is there a role for national action in restricting PFAS chemicals?
PFAS chemicals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of over 10,000 chemicals also known as the ‘forever chemicals’ because they hardly degrade in the environment. Pollution from these chemicals is pervasive across Europe, with almost 23,000 sites already polluted with PFAS, and a further 21,500 sites suspected to be contaminated. PFAS are in are in our food, … [Read more...] about Is there a role for national action in restricting PFAS chemicals?
Toxic-free toys – EU steps up action against the most harmful chemicals
After months of discussions, the Toy Safety Directive has finally been revised to better protect children against some of the most harmful chemicals in toys. The Directive dated back to 2009 and was in dire need of an update, particularly after an evaluation showed it was not protecting children from a range of harmful chemicals found in toys, including endocrine disruptors. … [Read more...] about Toxic-free toys – EU steps up action against the most harmful chemicals
PFAS ban in France edges closer
Update: On 20 February the Bill was passed by a large majority of MPs and became law. Read more in our news story here and from French campaign group Générations Futures here. Sandra Bell of CHEM Trust said: “This ban on PFAS in products like clothing and cosmetics is great news for French citizens worried about their exposure to these harmful chemicals. The … [Read more...] about PFAS ban in France edges closer
EU Commission confirms that REACH revision is very important, as new regulations on classification are provisionally agreed
CHEM Trust has received a response to the letter that we sent to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 19th September 2023. The response, which comes jointly from the relevant Directors in DG Environment and DG Grow, reaffirms the Commission's commitment to revising the main EU chemicals law REACH: "As we said in the plenary of the European Parliament last year, the … [Read more...] about EU Commission confirms that REACH revision is very important, as new regulations on classification are provisionally agreed
EU pledge for toxic-free products at risk, as shown by internal Commission documents
Today marks 1,000 days since the European Commission made a pledge in its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability to ban the most harmful chemicals from all consumer products, through a revision of the EU’s chemicals safety law, REACH. The revision was promised for the end of 2022, but EU Commissioners decided to delay it after lobbying from the German chemicals industry. This … [Read more...] about EU pledge for toxic-free products at risk, as shown by internal Commission documents
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?
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’
