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
UK
Patient organisations, healthcare professionals and scientists urge action on harmful chemicals in toys
Today, a group of 50 patient organisations, healthcare professionals and scientists sent a letter to the UK Government urging it to align with the EU’s update to its own toy safety regulation. The letter calls for the UK to match the science-led approach taken in the EU. The decision to update the EU's toy safety regulation was driven by an assessment showing that the … [Read more...] about Patient organisations, healthcare professionals and scientists urge action on harmful chemicals in toys
Deregulatory proposals to UK chemical safety laws will remove vital consumer and environmental safeguards
Earlier this month, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) launched a public consultation on a package of deregulatory policy changes to chemicals regulation. If enacted, these changes will weaken vital chemical safety laws and increase the divergence between UK and EU chemical regulation. The proposals include changes to (a) the regulation of biocides, (b) the … [Read more...] about Deregulatory proposals to UK chemical safety laws will remove vital consumer and environmental safeguards
How should PFAS be dealt with in the UK? New NGO proposal launched
Today, NGO groups, including CHEM Trust, have launched a joint proposal outlining key asks to address the environmental and health risks associated with PFAS in the UK. Overall, the proposal highlights the need for the UK to align with the European Union’s (EU) comprehensive universal PFAS (uPFAS) restriction and explains how, whilst waiting for the uPFAS restriction to come … [Read more...] about How should PFAS be dealt with in the UK? New NGO proposal launched
UK committee recommends protective value for BPA 1000 times higher than the EU
BPA or bisphenol A has long been known to harm human and wildlife health by interfering with the endocrine system. European-wide studies show that people are constantly exposed to BPA. Health effects linked to the chemical are extensive, including chronic diseases such as breast and prostate cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Chronic diseases (also known as non-communicable … [Read more...] about UK committee recommends protective value for BPA 1000 times higher than the EU
CHEM Trust at UK party conferences 2024: an overview
Party conference session kicked off with the Liberal Democrat autumn conference in Brighton after the party’s historic win of 72 seats at the General Election in July. Over a busy two days we attended events on the UK-EU relationship, a packed event on pesticides organised by PAN UK and the RSPB and Green Liberal Democrat and green groups receptions. There was much … [Read more...] about CHEM Trust at UK party conferences 2024: an overview
A new chemical romance? How closer UK-EU collaboration could benefit the environment
This year, CHEM Trust will be co-hosting a fringe event at the Labour Party Conference in partnership with SERA, (Labour’s Environment Campaign), ‘A new chemical romance? How closer UK-EU collaboration could benefit the environment?' Time: 4-5pm Date: Sunday 22nd September Venue: The Labour Climate and Environment Hub, secure zone, ACC, Liverpool Chair: Will Hutton, … [Read more...] about A new chemical romance? How closer UK-EU collaboration could benefit the environment
Is the Swiss system for regulating chemicals a useful model for the UK?
Today, CHEM Trust has published a new report by the journalist, researcher and former editorial director of the global news platform Chemical Watch, Geraint Roberts: ‘The Swiss Chemicals System: The legal framework and how it relates to that in the EU’. CHEM Trust commissioned the report in response to growing interest from policymakers, NGOs, and industry stakeholders about … [Read more...] about Is the Swiss system for regulating chemicals a useful model for the UK?
How is the UK Government planning to tackle exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals?
At the end of March, rules to introduce new hazard classes for the classification, labelling and packaging of substances in the EU were published. This is a very important milestone towards much better protection from endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) as it also includes a new category of suspected endocrine disruptors. Until recently it has been unclear what action the … [Read more...] about How is the UK Government planning to tackle exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals?
The UK’s plans for tackling PFAS pollution – are they good enough?
On 4th April 2023, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published the long awaited PFAS Risk Management Option Analysis (RMOA) written in partnership with the Environment Agency (EA). The RMOA makes a number of recommendations that the UK Government will follow as announced in its Plan For Water published on the same day. … [Read more...] about The UK’s plans for tackling PFAS pollution – are they good enough?
