(18 July 2024) Newly elected President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, wants to simplify the chemicals safety law REACH as part of a “continued shift to a more sustainable pattern of production and consumption, retaining the value of resources in our economy longer”, according to her political guidelines.
This provides an additional direction to the REACH revision, which was started by the outgoing Commission with a focus on reducing pollution and improving protection, but had been postponed several times.
Von der Leyen, nevertheless, reassures that “we must and will stay the course on all our goals, including those set out in the European Green Deal”.
The REACH revision would be part of a “new chemicals industry package” to support a more circular and resilient economy, as part of “a new plan for Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness”.
She said that the package would also provide clarity on ‘forever chemicals’, PFAS. Von der Leyen had already responded last May to MEPs asking for clarification about exemptions to the ban saying that the Commission will wait for ECHA’s opinions before making a decision.
Von der Leyen has been re-elected by the European Parliament with 401 votes in favour and 284 against.
The political guidelines set the working direction of the Commission for the next five years and will be reflected in the mission letters that von der Leyen will send to the Commissioners, as well as in the Commission’s work programmes for the coming years.
More Information
Ursula von der Leyen, political guidelines for the next European Commission 2024−2029 (18 Jul. 2024)
CHEM Trust, reaction on von der Leyen’s political guidelines and re-election (18 Jul. 2024)
Cefic, reaction on von der Leyen’s hearing and re-election (18 Jul. 2024)
EEB, reaction on von der Leyen’s hearing and re-election (18 Jul. 2024)
CEO, reaction on von der Leyen’s hearing and re-election (18 Jul. 2024)
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