For MEPs on the European Parliament's Committee on Environment, the future EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability will have to be based on scientific evidence, consistency of legislation and proper implementation of existing legislation. It will also have to increase the level of consumer and environmental protection, foster innovation and link up with other Green Deal initiatives, such as the new action plan for the circular economy.
The debate they held, on Monday 8 June, in view of this future European Green Deal strategy showed a broad convergence of views, across all political groups, with nuances, on the elements of a draft resolution in preparation.
The coherence sought covers a wide range of legislation (REACH, biocides, waste, construction materials).
MEPs call for better taking into account combined exposure to chemicals and the effects on the most vulnerable populations. Other points of consensus include replacing hazardous substances, speeding up the placing on the market of low-risk pesticides, a strong and better resourced European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and eliminating unnecessary animal testing.
ECHA's Executive Director, Bjorn Hansen, said his agency is studying with EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) to “see how we can work better together”. He also referred to the need to define what a sustainable chemical is, citing energy consumption and recycling potential as two criteria.
The EPP stresses the importance of sound and up-to-date scientific evidence and impact assessments, “because we will not succeed in banning all toxic substances”.
The S&D group considers the presence of endocrine disrupters in cosmetics, toys or food packaging “unacceptable”. Belgian MEP Marie Arena pointed out a paradox that she says is detrimental to coherence: in its biodiversity strategy, the Commission proposes to reduce the use of high-risk pesticides by 50%, while mentioning that the production of these pesticides will have doubled by 2030.
For Renew Europe, it is unacceptable that 20% of the toys tested contain banned phthalates. Furthermore, the revision of the Regulation on food contact materials is a priority request of the group.
According to the ECR group, hazardous substances such as uranium can be used well and alternatives cost three to six times as much.
Greens/EFA believe that the EU must develop a framework for ‘made in EU’ chemicals to be environmentally friendly and advocate a clean industrial strategy.
The GUE/NGL claims that a healthy environment is imperative and regrets that the Commission still authorises carcinogenic or mutagenic products.
“What you are proposing usefully echoes what we envisage”, said Commission representative Kestutis Sadauskas, referring to the roadmap for this strategy already submitted for stakeholders' comments. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)