Ref. Ares(2020)2838538 - 02/06/2020
From:
@eeb.org>
Sent:
mardi 2 juin 2020 12:33
To:
(CAB-KYRIAKIDES)
Cc:
(CAB-KYRIAKIDES);
(ETUC);
(BEUC - BUREAU EUROPÉEN DE L'UNION DES
CONSOMMATEURS)
Subject:
Request for a virtual meeting – Chemicals Strategy for
Sustainability
Attachments:
BEUC, EEB, ETUC call for a revitalized EU chemicals policy.pdf
Importance:
High
Dear Mr
,
On behalf of the European Consumers Organisation (BEUC), the European Environmental
Bureau (EEB) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), I contact you to request
a virtual meeting to present our concerns about the impact of toxic chemicals on people’s
health and the environment and to have an exchange on potential solutions in view of the
upcoming Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability announced under the European Green Deal.
We read with interest the recently published
roadmap for the Chemicals Strategy for
Sustainability. In view of the current COVID-19 crisis, we strongly agree that protecting
both human and planetary health with the use of safe chemicals becomes increasingly
important to promote societal resilience from interconnected threats, and to build
economies that create wellbeing and improve quality of life.
We firmly believe that Europe can solve the health and environmental problems of chemical
exposure in ways that are good for our economy. A revitalized EU chemicals policy is in our
view essential in this respect and will also support the credibility of the European Green Deal
as a transformative agenda that helps establish a new social contract for Europe.
Attached to this email you will find our joint recommendations for how the Chemicals
Strategy should radically scale up and speed up actions to achieve these objectives by
setting Europe on the path to a non-toxic economy and a healthy future.
Given the urgency to step up actions in the chemicals area illustrated by the COVID-19
crisis, we hope that you would be available for a virtual exchange on our recommendations,
ideally before the end of June, either using Skype, Zoom or any other platform that would
be eligible under Commission rules.
Thank you in advance. We look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
on behalf of BEUC, EEB and ETUC
Chemicals & Nanotechnology
European Environmental Bureau
Rue des Deux Eglises 14-16, B-1000 Brussels
Tel: +32 2 289 10 94
Email:
@eeb.org
www.eeb.org | twitter | facebook | linkedin
The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) is Europe's largest network of environmental citizens’ organisations,
standing for environmental justice, sustainable development and participatory democracy.
EC register for interest representatives: Identification number 06798511314-27
International non-profit association - Association internationale sans but lucratif (AISBL)
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2 2838538 - 02 06
/0 /2020
CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS TOGETHER FOR EUROPE:
THE EUROPEAN GREEN DEAL MUST REVITALISE EU CHEMICALS POLICY TO PROTECT
EUROPEAN CITIZENS AND ENVIRONMENT
The impact of toxic and persistent chemicals on our health and environment
All sectors of our economy rely on the use of synthetic chemicals. Chemicals can bring benefits
to our society, but many also contribute to the rise in severe health problems across the EU
and the strain on Europe’s ecosystems. Chemicals of concern are ubiquitous in the food we
eat, the water we drink, in our homes, at work and in our environment. Every new-born baby
is now born ‘pre-polluted’ with a cocktail of industrial chemicals; toxic and even banned
chemicals are frequently present in the products we use every day, while chemical pollutants
are detected in the most remote and unexpected parts of the planet, from the deepest oceans
to the highest mountains.
The long-term impact of this ubiquitous exposure is not fully understood. Scientists however
increasingly link certain synthetic chemicals to a range of neurodevelopmental disorders as
well as chronic and severe diseases, such as allergies, diabetes, fertility problems, obesity,
and cancer. Chemicals in the working environment are a leading cause of occupational
diseases and deaths in the EU. The pervasiveness of chemical pollutants in our environment
threaten a wider ecosystem collapse.
Chemical pollution negatively impacts our economy. For example, in the EU, the cost alone
of human exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals – a diverse group of substances which
can disrupt the hormonal system – has been estimated at 157 billion Euros per year. The cost
of work-related cancers is estimated to be between €270 and €610 billion each year – or
between 1.8% and 4.1% of the EU’s annual gross domestic product.
The EU must act now to protect its citizens and environment.
EU surveys show that around two-thirds of European citizens are concerned or very concerned
about their exposure to chemicals in everyday products. Less than half of respondents (45%)
feel well informed about the potential dangers of the chemicals contained in consumer
products.
In 2002, the EU committed to the UN goal of sound management of chemicals throughout
their lifecycle by 2020. Despite some landmark achievements, notably the 2006 REACH
Regulation, progress on achieving this goal has stalled. The 2019 State of the Environment
report by the European Environment Agency thus demonstrates that the outlook for the
coming 5-10 years is negative (deteriorating). Last year, the European Commission concluded
that the EU will not achieve the 2020 UN chemicals management goal. As a result, the EU’s
transition to a circular economy therefore is at risk of creating never-ending toxic material
loops, where hazardous chemicals are given a second lease on life in our products and our
homes.
The reasons for this failure are multiple and complex; a primary cause is however the lack of
political will and action by decision-makers to further drive forward the development,
implementation and enforcement of an ambitious EU chemicals policy to protect health and
the environment. Too often, such a policy is wrongly depicted by its opponents as ignoring
the economic implications. On the contrary, evidence piles up on the need for an ambitious
EU chemicals policy to drive innovation in the direction of safer, sustainable alternatives as
the basis for development of a non-toxic economy. This will position the EU ahead of other
parts of the world and help to fulfil the promise in the Von der Leyen Political Guidelines to
make the EU a world leader in circular economy and clean technologies.
We need an ambitious vision for EU chemicals policy to 2030 and beyond
We can solve the health and environmental problems of chemical exposure in ways that are
good for our economy. A decade ago, the European Union led the world in forging strong tools
to reduce exposure to chemical pollutants. It’s time for the EU to do so again. The European
Green Deal presents a unique opportunity for the EU to radically scale up and speed up actions
to protect its citizens and ecosystems. EU decision-makers must seize this opportunity to set
Europe on the road to a non-toxic and healthy future.
On behalf of Europe’s consumers, workers and environment, we therefore insist that
the EU must urgently establish an overarching 2030 chemicals strategy with a clear
action plan and timelines that:
x
effectively reduces our overall exposure to chemicals of concern. This will
require swift identification of and action against chemicals of concern across all sectors
including as a starting point by: phasing out substances of very high concern (SVHC)
across all EU chemicals legislations and adopting Binding Occupational Exposure Limit
Values (BOELs) for 25 extra priority carcinogens under the Carcinogens and Mutagens
Directive (CMD) by 2024; as well as accounting for and regulating low-dose effects
and the cumulative impact of chemicals from multiple sources (mixture effects) well
before 2030.
x
better protects our vulnerable populations, such as infants, pregnant women, and
people with genetic susceptibilities and compromised immune systems as well as key
ecosystems and species. This should be done by 2024 through updating existing laws
to better address chemicals of concern (e.g. on cosmetics, food packaging, water),
and through new laws, (e.g. on child-care products or textiles). Immediate action is
needed with regard to endocrine disruptors: the EU should treat them similarly to
carcinogens and ensure that all relevant legislative frameworks are adapted without
delay to protect the health of current and future generations.
x
guarantees coherence and integration across different EU policies
(occupational, consumers, health, environment, industry, research, etc.)
by for
example extending the scope of the Carcinogens and Mutagen Directive to cover
substances toxic for reproduction no later than 2024.
Implementation and
enforcement of the EU chemicals framework must urgently be improved to guarantee
that our legislation translates into real protection of health and the environment.
x
stops the current paralysis by analysis and addresses new and (not-any-
longer) emerging chemical risks such as endocrine disruptors or nanomaterials.
The EU also needs new regulatory tools based on the precautionary principle to ensure
early action on early warnings.
x
ensures full disclosure of chemicals present in products and workplaces,
while eliminating chemicals of concern from the circular economy. By 2030 the
EU should establish a harmonised mandatory and public information system on
chemicals in products, materials, and waste. Strict rules are needed to prevent toxic
recycling such that for example, recycled food packaging do not contaminate our
food with legacy chemicals.
x
boosts the use of safer alternative chemicals, products and processes by
establishing economic incentives to support substitution, clean production, frontrunner
companies, eco-labelling schemes, and green public procurement.
Harmful subsidies
and products must be eliminated without delay
x
ensures that the EU’s environmental and democratic principles aiming to
protect people and the environment are implemented. Increased access to
information and participation for workers, consumers and health and environment
organisations in decision-making processes is required to ensure that the regulatory
system is responsive to citizens’ concerns.
On behalf of Europe’s consumers, workers and environment, we call on all EU decision-makers
to let Europeans know that you are serious about a threat that poll after poll demonstrate
they care about. Show us that Europe can make a difference to protect people and the
environment. Invest in the generations to come by rewarding research and development of
safer alternatives, a clean economy and sustainable innovation today.
ENDS
Document Outline