In a new report, Corporate Europe Observatory takes another stab at the lengthy case of titanium dioxide classification in the European Union, and exposes how member states defend their chemical industries by pushing for weaker legislation.
This is why EU Parliamentarians should say no to lead in recycled PVC this week
This week, EU parliamentarians are voting on a proposal from the Commission to allow lead in recycled PVC, a very commonly used industrial plastic.
Revealed: Economic interests – not health concerns – dictate EU chemicals legislation
Today, ChemSec and the FRAM Centre at the University of Gothenburg can show that if member states stand to lose money by the regulation of certain chemicals, these substances are less likely to be passed through the legal bodies of the EU.
The Netherlands has had enough – wants to restrict all PFAS chemicals
The Netherlands has had enough – wants to restrict all PFAS The Dutch Government says it wants to prepare a comprehensive proposal to restrict all uses of PFAS and all products containing them. The proposal is backed by countries such...
Top three chemical trends from the EEA’s new report
Top three chemical trends from the EEA’s new report “The message of urgency cannot be overstated.” So reads one of the first sentences in the European Environment Agency’s new report: The European Environment – state and outlook 2020. Just like...
Open letter to Ursula von der Leyen
Open letter to Ursula von der Leyen Dear Ms. von der Leyen, On behalf of ChemSec, an environmental NGO promoting safer alternatives to hazardous chemicals, I would like to welcome you into office as the President of the European Commission....
Time has come for the new EU Commission to take some uncomfortable decisions
To me, it’s obvious that policy makers need to step up their game. The transition to safer chemicals cannot solely be driven by consumers trying to make sense of content declarations on the back of shampoo bottles. Besides, the positive environmental impact of an informed purchase is absolutely dwarfed by an industry wide law.
Nano might be really small, but the consequences might not be
It is very hard to say anything in general about the safety of nano. Some materials are probably safe, a few we know are very hazardous, but in general there is a huge gap in knowledge and data.
Food contact materials need stricter legislation
EU’s food contact materials legislation is up for evaluation, and last month, the EU Commission’s public consultation on the matter came to a close. The current legislation has a whole lot of room for improvements, so naturally ChemSec took the opportunity to comment on it during the consultation.
Does the European Parliament have any say in chemicals policy?
One of the biggest democratic exercises in the world is approaching rapidly. More than 400 million people from 28 different countries will vote in this month’s European Parliament elections. Or at least they should, especially if they care about progressive chemicals policies.