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EU quietly shelves REACH regulation on toxic chemicals

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Summary

The European Commission has quietly shelved a proposed revision of its REACH regulation on chemical safety, refusing to give Parliament an indication of when the proposal will be tabled. The REACH revision has been delayed until the end of 2023, amid difficulties faced by the sector and an announcement by German chemical giant BASF that it would “permanently” scale back its operations in Europe due to rising energy costs and concerns over green regulations. The postponement of the REACH revision was welcomed by the European People’s Party (EPP), who said that no proposal at all is “even better”. The deteriorating state of Germany’s chemical industry is causing concern at the highest political level, and campaigners fear the Commission will avoid rocking the boat further ahead of the European elections in June. Environmental activists have expressed their worry about the Commission’s lack of commitment to REACH, saying that “every day of delay means people and the planet being poisoned without consent”.

Q&As

What do campaigners fear about the European Commission’s lack of commitment to the REACH review?
Campaigners fear that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will seek to please her political base in Germany with a softball approach to chemicals regulation.

What did Maros Sefcovic say in his written responses about the REACH review?
Maros Sefcovic said in his written responses that “preparations will continue” on the proposal.

What is the EU’s chemicals strategy for sustainability aiming for?
The EU’s chemicals strategy for sustainability is aiming for “a toxic-free environment”.

What did Peter Liese, a German lawmaker from the centre-right European People’s Party, say about the REACH review?
Peter Liese said that “we can interpret this that REACH will not be presented before the end of this mandate”.

What is the European Commission's response to questions about the REACH review?
The European Commission declined to confirm whether REACH was now officially off the table or not, saying “we currently have nothing to add to the explanations provided by Vice-President Sefcovic in his replies, both oral and written”.

AI Comments

👍 The European Commission's efforts to prioritize climate goals and ensure access to affordable clean energy is commendable.

👎 The European Commission's decision to postpone the REACH regulation on chemical safety puts citizens and the planet at risk of poisoning without consent.

AI Discussion

Me: It's about the EU quietly shelving the REACH regulation on toxic chemicals. It seems like the European Commission is avoiding rocking the boat before the European elections in June.

Friend: That’s concerning. What implications does this have?

Me: Well, this could lead to a lack of regulation of toxic chemicals, which could be dangerous for the environment and public health. It could also mean that there are no incentives for companies to reduce their emissions and that environmental standards may not be met. Additionally, the lack of regulation could result in decreased investment in green technologies, which could have a negative impact on the fight against climate change.

Action items

Research the current state of the EU's chemicals strategy for sustainability and the impact of the REACH regulation on chemical safety.
Contact your local representatives and urge them to take action on the REACH regulation and the EU's chemicals strategy for sustainability.
Join a local environmental organization and participate in campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of chemical safety regulations.

Technical terms

REACH: Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals. A European Union regulation that requires companies to register, evaluate, and authorize the use of chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment.
Green Deal: A European Union initiative to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
European People’s Party (EPP): A centre-right political party in the European Parliament.
Nature Restoration Law: A proposed European Union law that seeks to restore biodiversity and protect nature.
Ukraine War: A conflict between Ukraine and Russia that began in 2014.
CEFIC: The European Chemical Industry Council, a trade association representing the interests of the European chemical industry.
Decarbonisation: The process of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
European Environmental Bureau: A green umbrella group that works to protect the environment in Europe.