ECHA

With regulations such as REACH, CLP, biocides and pesticides, Europe has one of the most developed and sophisticated environmental policies in the world. It is clear that our chemicals legislation is a great contributor to the 2020 goals.
 

"We can be proud because we have taken the protection of human health and the environment very seriously. 95 out of 100 citizens support the EU's policy on environment. Nine out of ten believe that the environment is important and that by protecting it we are bringing added quality of life. Europe has a good story to tell and we need to project our success to the rest of the world", says the European Commission's Director-General of Environment, Mr Daniel Calleja Crespo.

Since 2011, ECHA has been publishing information from over 50 000 registration dossiers and up to 120 000 substances on its website. A more user-friendly version of this database was just launched at the end of January.

"A lot of information on chemicals has already been made available. There are still important gaps to be filled, but this vast chemicals database will provide benefits also beyond the EU", says Ninja Reineke, Senior Policy Officer at a UK charity CHEM Trust.

Erwin Annys, Director at the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic), adds that more information is still needed. "The REACH 2018 registration deadline is not the end - the process will continue and companies will look at how they can improve the quality of their dossiers where it is needed and how to come to a safer environment in general."

New challenges

On the road to 2020, Europe is also facing new challenges. In December 2015, the European Commission launched its initiative on the circular economy. "This will create a new kind of thinking of how we should engage with our businesses and what will be the influence on classical business models", says Dr Annys.
 

Ninja Reineke would like to see a stricter focus on the ‘no data – no market' provision, to make sure that safe use is really achieved. "We would also like to see better synergies with other legislation to maximise the effectiveness of these laws as well as better and quicker regulation on substances of very high concern. We are very concerned about hormone-disrupting chemicals. For years, scientists have been alarming us that these chemicals can be contributing to an increase in cancer rates as well as infertility problems. These need to be addressed urgently."

In addition, balancing the protection of human health and the environment with economic interests is not always straight forward.

Studies have shown that the chemicals sector – and especially small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) is very important for jobs and growth in Europe, but that the strict regulations bite the hardest on the smallest players.

 

Director-General Calleja Crespo remains positive. "REACH has shown that it is possible to reconcile competitiveness and growth with a better knowledge of chemicals and their impact on health and with a better protection of the environment", he says and continues, "Of course, you still need to continue taking SMEs into account in terms of streamlining, simplification and lower fees."

Dr Reineke believes that protective regulations can trigger innovation. "What is bad for human health and the environment cannot be good for the economy in the long run. All the costs, for example, on health care or environmental remedy costs, are huge burdens on economies", she says.
 

To inspire innovation, she would like to see a stronger emphasis on substitution. "There is currently too little focus on rewarding those companies who are investing in safer alternatives. Instead, we are facing authorisations of DEHP in PVC for consumer products or lead pigments although there are safer alternatives. We need a clear regulatory signal where companies that replace harmful chemicals have the advantage and not those who continue with business as usual."
 

On the other hand, complying with legal obligations shows on the bottom line. "Our legislation costs money and it's a cost they don't have outside Europe. However, REACH has made companies look at their product portfolio and their position on the market and improved communication down the supply chain", says Dr Annys.


Consumer protection

Consumers who buy products should be sure that they are safe – without being chemical experts. However, products on the shelves are not always up to standards.
 

"Recent media reports have revealed perfluorinated chemicals in outdoor clothing and endocrine disrupting chemicals in children's products or even food packaging. These are problems that have to be tackled urgently", Dr Reineke explains.

Dr Annys says that products made in Europe are a safer bet for consumers.

"Whenever I have a choice, I choose products which are made in Europe. As European citizens we also have the responsibility to support European industry."

Director-General Calleja Crespo trusts companies and the regulatory framework to protect European citizens. "We have a first class chemical industry in Europe, and at the same time, first class regulation to make sure that the substances on the market are safe", he concludes.

 

 

Director-General Calleja Crespo. Image: ECHA.	Dr Erwin Annys. Image: ECHA.	Dr Ninja Reineke. Image: ChemTRUST.

 

Video interviews with Director-General Calleja Crespo, Dr Erwin Annys and Dr Ninja Reineke - done at the WSSD 2020 workshop in February 2016.

 

 

Further information:
 

 

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