On Wednesday, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs adopted its position on the new provisions designed to strengthen EU rules to protect workers from exposure to hazardous substances. With 45 votes in favour, none against and 10 abstentions, MEPs on the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs approved the sixth revision of the Carcinogens, […]
EU reaffirms commitment to science-based multilateralism on chemicals, waste and pollution
The panel will provide authoritative and policy-relevant scientific assessments on chemicals, waste and pollution. Countries will meet in Geneva from 2 to 6 February for the first plenary session of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP), marking a key step in the launch of a new independent scientific body. The EU […]
Toy safety: new standards to protect children’s health
The new rules aim to reduce the number of unsafe toys sold in the EU and protect children from the associated risks. Despite having one of the strictest toy safety regulations in the world, dangerous toys still find their way into the hands of children in the EU. On Tuesday, MEPs confirmed an agreement with […]
Commission restricts use of chemicals “forever” in fire fighting foams
The Commission adopted on 3 October new measures restricting the use of PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in fire fighting foams under the REACH Regulation, the EU’s chemicals legislation. This is an important measure that protects people and the environment from the risks posed by PFASs. The restriction marks an important step towards the Commission’s […]
Commission restricts use of chemicals to protect workers’ health
The Commission has restricted the use of the chemicals N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC) and 1-ethylpyrrolidin-2-one (NEP) to protect workers from exposure to these substances. DMAC and NEP are solvents used in many industrial processes, including the production of chemicals, coatings, cleaning agents and fibres. DMAC is commonly used to manufacture synthetic fibres and varnishes for electrical cables, […]
European Commission defines principles on limiting the most harmful chemicals to essential uses
The Commission has adopted criteria and guiding principles on what would constitute “essential uses” of the most harmful chemicals. The adopted Communication provides industry and investors with predictability for the manufacture of products that are indispensable for the EU’s ecological and digital transition, health and defence. It is a concrete outcome of the Sustainability Strategy […]
LIFE Programme: Circular Economy, resources from Waste, Air, Water, Soil, Noise, Chemicals, Bauhaus
Objective The aim is to facilitate the transition toward a sustainable, circular, toxic-free, energy-efficient/climate-resilient economy and toward a toxic-free environment as well as to protect, restore and improve the quality of the environment. The specific objective is to cover one or more of the following topics as fully defined in section 2 of the Call document: Circular Economy […]
Administrators in the field of Chemicals Policy
The European Commission (EC) is currently looking for specialists with professional experience in the field of chemicals. Recruited policy officers (grade AD 6) will work mainly at the EC’s Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) and the Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV). Main tasks Your main tasks will be to develop, manage and implement policy […]
ECHA will work on healthier potable water
ECHA will start to compile a list of substances that can be safely used in materials that come into contact with drinking water. The aim is to improve consumer protection and ensure equal safety standards for industry. With the recast of the Drinking Water Directive, ECHA has been given a task to compile and manage […]