On May 9, 2020, the European Commission (EC) announced the publication of a roadmap for its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and called for public feedback. Announced within the context of the European Green Deal (FPF reported) and with the aim of achieving a toxic-free environment, the strategy aims to “help to protect citizens and the environment better against hazardous chemicals and encourage innovation for the development of safe and sustainable alternatives.” The roadmap describes that the strategy will build on recent and ongoing reviews of EU legislation, including the fitness check on all chemicals legislation excluding REACH (FPF reported), the second REACH review (FPF reported), the ongoing fitness check on legislation related to endocrine disruption (FPF reported), and a high-level conference envisioning EU chemicals policy in 2030 (FPF reported).
The strategy will support simplifying and strengthening the legal framework related to chemicals, moving towards a process of “one substance – one assessment” across regulations, and reflecting on the latest “scientific evidence on the risk posed by endocrine disruptors, hazardous chemicals in products including imports, combination effects of different chemicals and very persistent chemicals.” It will also be designed to complement the EC’s upcoming Zero Pollution Action Plan set to be delivered in 2021. Public feedback on the roadmap is being accepted until June 20, 2020.
Read more
EC (May 9, 2020). “Chemicals – strategy for sustainability (toxic-free EU environment).”
Clelia Oziel (May 12, 2020). “EU chemical strategy on track as Commission calls for feedback.” Chemical Watch
Leila Mead (June 30, 2020). “EU Concludes Consultation on Chemicals Strategy.” IISD
