The work of the EU Council bodies is progressing well on the ‘Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability – Towards a Toxic-Free Environment’ presented on 14 October by the Commission as a first step towards the ‘Zero Pollution’ objective within the framework of the European Green Deal (see EUROPE 12581/6).
Indeed, the Portuguese Presidency hopes that EU Council conclusions will be adopted in March, as the Portuguese Minister for the Environment, João Pedro Matos Fernandes (see EUROPE 12631/10) confidently indicated. A first draft of the conclusions, currently being drawn up, will be discussed in the EU Council’s ‘Environment’ working group on 21 and 22 January.
This will take into account the summary of the discussions held so far in the Environment working group and the first ministerial exchange of views in December under the German Presidency. Member States had broadly supported the proposed strategy and considered the overall level of ambition to be sufficient. Delegations had also indicated their wish to continue work on future proposals for the strategy and to remain closely involved in its implementation.
While the Environment Ministers are in the lead—this strategy aims to protect health and the environment—many sectors and EU Council programmes are involved. The summary report, dated 11 January and transmitted to the delegations (as drawn up by the previous German Presidency), mentions competitiveness, industry, medicines, chemicals, agriculture, research, economy and finance, consumers, social affairs, research, the internal market and enterprise, in addition to the environment.
According to this report, seen by EUROPE, the delegations agree on the particular importance of: – actions on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—an urgent priority—and endocrine disrupters, for which most delegations support the proposal to establish harmonised and legally binding criteria for defining endocrine disrupters throughout the legislation; – introducing a combined effects assessment factor for mixtures; – modifying the REACH and CLP regulations (Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures); – optimising the interface between chemicals, products and waste legislation; – safety and durability from the design stage; – extending the generic approach to risk assessment, including the concept of ‘essential use’; and – global leadership and zero tolerance for non-compliance.
The draft conclusions under preparation will also address competitiveness, research and innovation aspects. Some delegations stressed the need for sufficient financial support, both for the private sector, in particular SMEs, and the public sector, for the successful implementation of the strategy. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)