The ambassadors of the EU27 (Coreper) are expected to give their green light, on Wednesday 10 March, to the adoption, by written procedure, of EU Council conclusions on the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability proposed by the European Commission as a first step towards the ‘zero pollution’ ambition, under the framework of the European Green Deal (see EUROPE 12581/6).
The EU Council’s Working Party on the Environment finalised its work on 5 March. The finalised text, as seen by EUROPE, welcomes this strategy which sets out a long-term vision for achieving a high level of protection of human health and the environment, while helping to strengthen the competitiveness of EU industry through the production and use of safe and sustainable chemicals (see EUROPE 12652/6, 12635/6).
It also emphasises the urgency to act. The Commission and the Member States are called upon to fully implement this strategy, within their competences, without undue delay and in accordance with the principles of EU environmental law, in particular the precautionary and preventive principles. The effective transition to a sustainable environment, free of toxic substances, is at stake.
The written procedure will probably last until 12 March. If no delegation goes against it, the conclusions will be deemed to have been adopted a few days before the meeting by videoconference of the European Environment Ministers. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)