EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability
The European Union (EU) Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability is a comprehensive plan developed by the European Commission to promote the sustainable use of chemicals in the EU. It was adopted in October 2020 and is part of the broader European Green Deal, which aims to make the EU climate-neutral by 2050 and promote a more environmentally friendly and sustainable economy.
The EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) is a key element of the EU’s efforts to transition to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly economy. It has implications for a wide range of industries, including chemical manufacturing, agriculture, and consumer products, and aims to reduce the environmental and health risks associated with the use of chemicals in the EU.
Key elements of the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability include:
- Hazard Assessment: The strategy focuses on improving the assessment of the hazards posed by chemicals, with the goal of better understanding their potential impacts on human health and the environment.
- Risk Management: It aims to strengthen risk management measures for chemicals, with a focus on controlling and reducing the risks associated with the most hazardous substances.
- Innovation and Research: The strategy encourages the development and use of safer and more sustainable chemicals. It also promotes innovation in chemical production and waste management.
- Circular Economy: It seeks to advance the circular economy for chemicals, which involves reducing waste and promoting the recycling and reuse of chemicals and materials.
- Transparency and Information: The strategy emphasizes increasing transparency and access to information about chemicals. This includes improving data sharing and communication about chemical properties and risks.
- International Cooperation: The EU aims to work with international partners to address global chemical challenges and promote high chemical safety standards worldwide.
- Protection of Vulnerable Groups: The strategy places a strong emphasis on protecting vulnerable groups, such as children and pregnant women, from exposure to harmful chemicals.
- Zero Pollution Ambition: The strategy is part of the EU’s ambition to achieve “zero pollution,” which includes minimizing pollution from chemicals, air, water, and soil.
The Strategy also includes the following key actions:
- banning the most harmful chemicals in consumer products – allowing their use only where essential
- account for the cocktail effect of chemicals when assessing risks from chemicals
- phasing out the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the EU, unless their use is essential
- boosting the investment and innovative capacity for production and use of chemicals that are safe and sustainable by design, and throughout their life cycle
- promoting the EU’s resilience of supply and sustainability of critical chemicals
- establishing a simpler “one substance one assessment” process for the risk and hazard assessment of chemicals
- playing a leading role globally by championing and promoting high standards and not exporting chemicals banned in the EU.
The Commission has delivered some important elements of the CSS, such as the long awaited revision of the regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP Regulation); developed a framework defining the concept of ‘safe and sustainable by design’ and a set of criteria; triggered discussions for the introduction of new hazard classes at the United Nations Globally Harmonised System level; adopted the restriction of intentional uses of microplastics; adopted a proposal for the revision of the Industrial Emissions Directive, and of product legislations such as the Ecodesign Directive and Toys safety Directive.
In summary, the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability reflects the EU’s commitment to addressing environmental and health challenges while fostering economic growth and competitiveness through sustainable practices in the chemical sector and related industries.
For further reading:
DG Environment: Implementation of the Chemicals Strategy
DG Environment: Connected strategies
NGO letter urging the Commission to advance on the Chemicals Strategy promises
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