The European Commission's future chemicals strategy for sustainability will be the first step towards a zero pollution, toxic-free environment, said the European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, on Thursday 9 July during a debate with the European Parliament.
In particular, he said that the strategy will aim to stimulate research and innovation to develop safer chemicals that can be used as alternatives to certain products, will make EU standards simpler and more effective, and will combat the effects of combination chemicals and endocrine disrupters.
Hoping that the European Commission would present an ambitious strategy in this area in the third quarter of this year (see EUROPE 12484/13), MEPs tabled a motion for a resolution (see EUROPE 12517/13), which will be put to the vote on Friday.
“We want health to come before the economic interests of particular industries”, said Marie Arena (S&D, Belgium) to the Commissioner.
According to her, Parliament is sending a “clear and ambitious message” to the European Commission with this resolution; firstly in respect of a full implementation of the existing legislation, but also for its further development.
Furthermore, she is of the opinion that clear criteria defining the concept of sustainable chemicals should be established to avoid ‘greenwashing’ by industries.
Agreeing with this, Sven Giegold (Greens/EFA, Germany) said the resolution reflected Parliament's desire for a paradigm shift in EU policy in the chemicals sector.
In addition to protecting human health and the environment, it is also about seizing an economic opportunity through the creation of “clean chemicals” that will stabilise millions of jobs, he added.
Emphasising that 71% of the chemicals manufactured in the European Union are classified as dangerous, Frédérique Ries (Renew Europe, Belgium) insisted on the need to act against the 'PFAS', which group together nearly 5,000 chemicals found in particular in foams, in certain frying pans, and in food packaging.
Danish MEP Pernille Weiss (EPP), also stressed the need for accelerated action regarding priority chemicals.
The shadow rapporteurs of the ID and ECR Groups, however, criticised this resolution.
“I don’t agree with a large number of the compromise amendments”, said Pietro Fiocchi (ECR, Italy), who argued that the resolution contained measures that would penalise SMEs by not giving them time to adapt.
Finally, Isabella Tovaglieri (ID, Italy) said that the European chemicals sector should not be demonised and penalised, since this could result in the EU importing chemicals from countries who have less stringent standards in place. (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)