The European Commission published a Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability on 14 October 2020. It is the first step towards a zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment announced in the European Green Deal. The Strategy aims to boost innovation for safe and sustainable chemicals, and increase protection of human health and the environment against hazardous chemicals. It also aims to establish a simpler ‘One Substance – One Assessment (OSOA)’ process for the risk and hazard assessment of chemicals. The series of actions, including REACH and CLP revisions, are falling under the scopes of Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.
What is EPMF’s position?
Precious metals highly contribute to the EU Green Deal goals, including circular economy, clean air, sustainability. They are indispensable for modern society and are used in many sectors, such as electronics and electrical equipment , automotive and aerospace, medicine and medical devices, jewellery, cosmetics. Therefore, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and roadmaps of REACH and CLP will have a strong impact on the precious metals industry.
The EPMF strongly believes that the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability should introduce a Sustainable Chemicals Management approach that is built on two pillars:
More details in the EPMF Position Papers on REACH Revision and CLP Revision:
Useful to know:
- EPMF opinion piece ‘What is the key to making ‘one substance, one assessment’ work?’ in Chemicals Watch.
- Bursting the Bubble: EU podcast from Rud Pedersen. Chemical Reactions Episode 4 – EU Chemicals Strategy – France Capon, EPMF.
Further information:
- The EU’s chemicals strategy for sustainability
- Chemicals legislation – revision of REACH Regulation to help achieve a toxic-free environment
- Revision of EU legislation on hazard classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals
- A European Green Deal
Contact information:
France Capon
The EPMF comments are complementary to the Eurometaux’s response to the public consultations on the Inception Impact Assessment (IIA) on the Revision of REACH and CLP. The responses can be found here and here.