A year ago, the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation started an internet campaign called Surfejs aiming to remove perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) from cosmetics. More than 1,500 consumers sent e-mails to eight of the biggest cosmetics producers in the world, encouraging them to remove PFCs from their products. Until recently, five of these companies had announced that they would begin phasing out these toxic chemicals as soon as possible. Now, another company has announced that they will do the same thing.
You’ve got mail, Björn Hansen
Dear Björn, I hope that you have settled in well in Helsinki and that you are beginning to find your feet at ECHA. In your new position I expect that you will focus on making the agency’s work more efficient. I also hope that you will guide the agency towards a greater focus on human health and the environment.
REACH could learn a thing or two from other legal frameworks
When applicants in the authorisation process claim there are no safer alternatives for them to use, regulators take their word for it.
But the authorisation process is not the only area of EU law where companies apply for some kind of permit and include a market analysis together with the applications. For example, there is a very similar legal process for companies applying for merger clearance.
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,…
ECHA authorisation process report shows many positives, but lacks a full societal analysis
This week the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) released a meta-analysis on the socio-economic impacts of REACH authorisation. According to ECHA, the way the authorisation process has been handled has led to increased control of use of the most problematic chemicals…
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…
12 new substances added to the REACH authorisation list
Earlier this week twelve new substances were added to the authorisation list, annex XIV. The move follows a decision taken in the REACH Committee in December last year. “ChemSec is very pleased that more substances are added to the authorisation…
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...
Producers of safe alternatives oppose authorisation, decision this week
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...