Four years ago, the EU Commission granted the Canada-based paint manufacturer Dominion Colour Corporation (DCC) authorisation to use toxic lead chromates in red and yellow paint pigments. According to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), the company will not reapply for permission to continue selling these pigments in Europe beyond May 2022, when its current authorisation expires.
News
Commission to face EU Court over authorisation of lead chromate in paint
The European Commission is facing a second court challenge for allowing a Canadian company to sell two dangerous chemicals used for road markings and painting industrial machines in the EU. Environmental lawyers ClientEarth, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), the International…
Sweden is suing the Commission over lead chromates authorisation
Sweden is suing the Commission over the decision to grant authorisation for a Canadian company to use lead chromates. The health aspects entailed with the use of these toxic substances and the fact that authorisation has been given even though…
ChemSec and IPEN calls on the REACH committee not to grant authorisation to use lead chromates
Ahead of next weeks REACH committee meeting, where members will vote and potentially adopt the Commissions draft decision to authorise the use of lead chromates, NGO’s ChemSec and IPEN have sent a letter to the Committee calling on the members…
Swedish paint association: “Lead chromates are neither wanted nor needed”
In a joint debate article the Swedish branch organisation for paints, SVEFF, and the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation, SSNC, urge the Swedish Government to put pressure on EU to consequently prohibit lead chromates in paint. Earlier this year, Echa’s Committees…
Lead in paints: the challenge continues
ChemSec and its partner organisations are continuing the fight against the use of two chemicals of high concern in paints.
Authorisation to use lead pigments granted
An application to authorise the non-consumer use of two lead pigments was granted by the REACH committee yesterday, ENDS Europe writes. The application, submitted by Canadian company DCC, have been an ongoing story for several years. With the authorisation to…
The Commission greenlights authorisation to use hazardous lead pigments
Two hazardous lead pigments could be authorised for non-consumer use in July, following a draft decision issued by the Commission. The substances – lead sulfochromate yellow and lead chromate molybdate sulfate red – could be granted authorisation for use in pigment…
Giving companies economic incentives for moving away from hazardous chemicals can unlock a multi-billion market for safer alternatives
By implementing economic incentives in EU chemicals legislation that would support companies who are moving away from hazardous chemicals, EU policy makers could stimulate the transition of the market towards sustainability more efficiently, a new ChemSec report shows.
PRESS RELEASE: EU court closes door to unjustified use of dangerous chemicals
The European Court of Justice confirmed today that the EU illegally allowed dangerous substances for sale in paints when there were safer options – setting a precedent that tightens the screw on companies’ use of toxic chemicals in the EU.
5 things from 2019 that make me believe in a brighter tomorrow
Alongside news of wildfires in the Amazon rainforest and global climate protests spearheaded by Greta Thunberg, there are some environmental policy events that are worth returning to when 2019 is closing its doors. Anne-Sofie Bäckar, Executive Director at ChemSec lists five positive signs that are worth mentioning again.
The European Court annulled an authorisation. Here is what we can learn from it
On 7 March 2019, the European Court of Justice annulled an authorisation granted under REACH. For this reason, ChemSec and ClientEarth joined forces in a new report that aims to analyse the judgement and translate it into concrete actions for the future.
Are toxic chemicals going out of fashion?
Even though the oil industry is far from finished I doubt many people would call it a sector with a bright outlook.
Can we expect such a change of perception in the chemical sector? I’d say that the answer to that is yes. It’s already happening.
EU Parliament on its way to object DEHP authorisation
EU Parliament on its way to object DEHP authorisation Yesterday, the EU Parliament took a big step towards a rejection to use the chemical DEHP. The ENVI Committee (DG ENVI) voted in favour of two resolutions, which objects implementing acts...
The Swedish Government sued the EU Commission – and won
The Swedish Government sued the EU Commission – and won Three years ago, the Swedish Government challenged the EU Commission’s decision to grant the Canadian company Dominion Colour Corporation (DCC) authorisation to use carcinogenic lead chromates in yellow and red...
EU chemicals approval process stifles safer alternatives
PRESS RELEASE Analysis by ChemSec and ClientEarth shows the chemicals approval process gives undue influence to companies producing dangerous chemicals and stifles information on safer alternatives, limiting the market for companies that produce them. Under EU chemicals law REACH,…
Why should producers of safer chemicals bother with policy when no one listens to them?
Why should producers of safer chemicals bother with policy when no one listens to them? The authorisation process hurts European innovation Ι By Anne-Sofie Andersson When I studied chemistry I used to rent a small flat in a rather rundown...
Review of 2016: The 5 biggest mistakes by the Commission and more
It’s Christmas time again, and beyond that 2017 is approaching fast. But before we all log off and spend some well-deserved time out of the office, we want to take you back, reminisce and think about some of the most...
Discussions around exception to use toxic chemical fails to consider safe alternatives
The authorisation application to use chromium trioxide by company Grohe is on the agenda during this week’s REACH Committee meeting, where the Commission and Member States adopt the most important decisions on chemicals. In discussions about chromium trioxide, a chemical…
Press Release: Commission faces legal challenge over approval of toxic paints
The European Commission is facing a new legal challenge on its decision to authorise the use of a dangerous neurotoxin in paint. ClientEarth, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), The International Chemical Secretariat (ChemSec) and International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN), are…
Why economic arguments against environmental regulation should be questioned
This Op-ed is written by ChemSec’s Policy Advisor Theresa Kjell and was originally published in Chemical Watch’s Global Business Briefing, March 2015. People tend to believe that environmental regulations have a negative impact on industry. Economic loss, unemployment and competitive…