On June 16, 2020, the non-governmental organization European Environmental Bureau (EEB) published a position paper outlining a set of eight priorities for the upcoming EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (FPF reported). EEB writes that “the strategy for a toxic-free environment has the potential to become a truly transformative agenda, driving the detoxification and decarbonization of our economies while creating millions of secure jobs and shifting from toxic and linear resource-intensive production models to safer and more sustainable circular ones that seek zero pollution and zero waste.”
To achieve a toxic-free future, the EEB details a set of priorities. Within these, specific calls are made to ensure coherence between the different EU chemicals legislation, to urgently phase out the most dangerous chemicals including endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), to apply grouping approaches and address mixture toxicity through generic mixture assessment factors, and to revise legislation on food contact materials and articles following a set of five key principles (FPF reported). To promote the innovation of safe alternatives, EEB recommends creating EU inter-authority forums and independent stakeholder forums on substitution as well as centers to provide technical support to small and medium enterprises. It also suggests placing a 0.1% ‘polluter pays’ principle tax on EU chemical industry sales to cover costs required to monitor, regulate, and manage chemicals.
Public comments on the roadmap for the EU chemical strategy are being accepted until June 20, 2020.
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EEB (June 16, 2020). “Towards a toxic-free environment – EEB position paper.”
EEB (June 18, 2020). “Here’s how we solve one of our biggest threats: Chemical pollution.”
Chemical Watch (June 18, 2020). “Chemical substitution fora essential for EU toxic-free goal, says NGO.”
Luke Buxton (June 25, 2020). “NGO calls for independent EU chemicals testing regime.” Chemical Watch
Leigh Stringer (July 9, 2020). “NGOs, retailer call for EU chemicals strategy to adopt grouping.” Chemical Watch
Luke Buxton (July 9, 2020). “European Commission lays out non-toxic material cycle ambitions.” Chemical Watch
Andrew Turley (July 9, 2020). “Draft EU chemicals strategy outlines plans to add ‘mixtures factor’ to REACH.” Chemical Watch
