Stakeholders pressure EU Commission on chemicals strategy

Corporate European Observatory concerned lobbying from chemical manufacturers will convince authorities to weaken ambition for reforms; EU member states send letter to Commission calling for long-term strategy for toxic-free circular economy; public petition launched calling for Commission to live up to its own commitments

Draft of EU chemicals strategy shows internal disagreements

Leaked draft version developed by DG Environment and commented on by DG Grow; proposed mixture assessment factor not supported by DG Grow, overall wording requested to be ‘less definitive and committing’; NGOs concerned revisions could place public health behind corporate interests

European Parliament passes resolution on chemicals strategy

Calls for ‘one substance – one hazard assessment’ principle, specific provisions for endocrine disrupting chemicals in food contact materials to be treated similar to substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction

ENVI committee adopts resolution on chemicals strategy

Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee of European Parliament passes resolution calling for upcoming chemicals strategy to fully apply precautionary and polluter-pays principles; resulting legislation should address and minimize endocrine disrupting and other hazardous chemicals in products including food packaging and recycled materials

EEB priorities for upcoming EU chemical strategy

Non-governmental organization European Environmental Bureau (EEB) publishes position paper setting 8 priorities for upcoming EU Chemical Strategy for Sustainability; calls for revision of food contact materials legislation, creation of chemical substitution forums and technical support centers for small and medium sized businesses, ‘polluter pays’ tax