The content of this week’s SEAC meeting, where authorisation of regulated chemicals are discussed, all boils down to the question: Which businesses do we want to support in Europe – old-fashioned industry unwilling to phase-out carcinogens, or start-ups innovating safer…
Why last week’s EDC vote was a huge step forward
A historic vote took place last week as the first substances ever were recorded as endocrine disruptors (EDCs) for human health under REACH. The vote, which took place in the REACH committee with representatives from all EU member states, was...
Court rules in ECHA’s favour over its decision to release confidential chemical information to NGOs
ECHA was right in its decision to release previously undisclosed information connected to a DEHP authorisation application to environmental NGOs ClientEarth and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Chemical watch writes. The application for authorisation by Czech chemicals manufacturer, Deza, contained…
Are the wheels of European chemical policy finally starting to turn again?
As an environmentally aware person working with chemical policy it is not every day you get to see positive signs. Industry lobbyists are hindering progressive legislation, the policy and implementation processes are too slow and the positive effects of what…
New substances finally added to annex XIV
After over two years since the latest addition, the Commission now decided to add new substances to annex XIV. All in all the REACH committee has agreed upon 12 new chemicals to added which brings the annex XIV tally to…
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…
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…
ECHA ignores Member States advice, recommends fewer substances to be added to Annex XIV
ChemSec regrets ECHA removed the respiratory sensitisers, HHPA and MHHPA, from its final recommendation of substances it proposes should be added to REACH Annex XIV. HHPA and MHHPA was removed from the final recommendation even though the Member State Committee…
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…