In an article published on September 30, 2020, the Corporate Europe Observatory reports on an intensifying final round of discussions within the European Commission (EC) to develop the new EU chemicals strategy for sustainability set to be released on October 14, 2020. A leaked draft version of the strategy showed significant internal disagreements (FPF reported). Seen as the “biggest chemicals reform in 15 years” within the EU, the strategy has led to intense lobbying efforts from stakeholders. The authors of the article are very critical of a number of meetings the EC, especially DG Grow, held with chemical industry associations over the past half-year. A key issue is the regulation of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and the article reports that released documents of the meeting the EC had with lobbyists “indicate industry’s preference for sticking with the status quo on the regulation” rather than implementing a more ambitious reform to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals in consumer products.
Chemical Watch reported that a set of ten EU countries have sent a “last-minute plea” via a letter to the EC calling on it “to develop an ambitious long-term chemicals strategy that will protect present and future generations from harm caused by hazardous chemicals and enable a sustainable toxic-free circular economy.”
The non-governmental organization Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) reported on the launch of a public petition calling on the EC “to guarantee that the new EU Chemicals Strategy protects our health and the environment, and fully lives up to the Commission’s commitments towards the zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment.” The petition is open for signature and available in seven EU languages.
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Corporate Europe Observatory (September 30, 2020). “Will the EU Commission stand firm against toxic lobbying pressure?”
Kathryn Carlson (September 30, 2020). “Ten countries issue last-minute plea for ‘ambitious’ EU chemicals strategy.” Chemical Watch
HEAL (September 28, 2020). “Say NO to a toxic Europe – sign the petition to demand a EU chemicals strategy that protects health and the environment.” (in German)
Tatiana Santos (October 1, 2020). “NGO Platform: How to ensure the EU is on the path to a toxic-free environment.” Chemical Watch
HEAL (October 1, 2020). “Further European Commission frictions revealed over the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability: HEAL concerns for health protection remain.”
Jack Hunger (October 1, 2020). “Toxic shock: health officials block progress on chemical safety.” EEB
Chemical Watch (October 7, 2020). “EU chemical strategy final draft keeps major reform promises.”
Clelia Oziel (October 8, 2020). “Cefic: Enforcement, innovation must come first in EU chemical strategy.” Chemical Watch
ChemSec (October 12, 2020). “We wrote a letter to Ursula von der Leyen.”
Luke Buxton (October 13, 2020). “NGOs say impact assessments could lead to ‘paralysis by analysis’ for EU chemicals strategy.” Chemical Watch
