The EU cannot wait to eliminate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the eternal, highly toxic chemical pollutants found absolutely everywhere, and there is no question that the Commission is now considering postponing the long-awaited revision of the REACH regulation (1907/2006) until December instead of June (see EUROPE 13142/23), stressed the Greens/EFA group in a topical debate on Thursday 20 April, which it had requested in order to question the European Commission. This discussion did not reassure them.
Recalling that these pollutants contaminate the entire planet and cause countless cancers and diseases, Marie Toussaint (French) accused the chemical industries of having “found an ally in Thierry Breton” in its hope for this new postponement of a regulation which, “in 20 years, has shown its limits”.
She supports those Member States that have recently called for a total ban on the PFAS family, “but we must act now and not wait for these requests to be processed”.
Regulation according to the PFAS family (not by substance) is needed to prevent the industry from replacing one banned substance with another equally harmful one and the industry should be required to prove that an essential use is indeed essential to avoid exemptions becoming the rule.
In addition to a ban on PFAS, Marie Toussaint called for “the establishment of a European public fund financed by polluters, dedicated to cleaning up what can still be cleaned up and to compensating the victims”.
On behalf of the Council Presidency, Swedish Minister for European Union Affairs Jessika Roswall emphasised the importance of the Green Deal. “For a long time”, Sweden has been one of the eight countries calling for strong and coordinated action, led by Belgium (see EUROPE 12807/9). “Eliminating PFAS is crucial to protect our health and the environment”, she said, referring to the EU Treaty and the 8th Environmental Action Programme to 2030 – the zero pollution target for water, air and soil and the protection of citizens’ health and well-being (see EUROPE 13001/9).
“The EU’s ‘Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability’ is therefore very important”, she said, pointing out that companies must be part of the green transition for the economy’s competitiveness. The Minister welcomed the inclusion of PFAS in the revised Drinking Water Directive and the proposed revision of the Water and Water Quality Standards Directives on which the Council will begin discussions.
On behalf of the European Commission, Mairead McGuinness said she was “pleased with the commitment of the Parliament, the Commission and the Council to the zero toxic pollution ambition”. She recalled that 24 substances have been added to the list of priority substances in water. She said that the Commission is working “flat out” and that the targeted review of REACH would be proposed “in the last quarter at the latest”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)