Delays in implementing the ‘Restrictions Roadmap’ to phase out some of the most hazardous chemicals have caused 100,000 tonnes (t) of serious chemical pollution, according to a study published on Friday 24 April by environmental organisations.
This programme, launched in April 2022 by the European Commission, aims to restrict the use of thousands of substances deemed to be the most dangerous in plastics, textiles, toys and childcare products.
According to the study carried out by ClientEarth and the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), almost two-thirds of the 22 chemical files set out in the roadmap are frozen.
The NGOs claim that the main roadblock to the Commission’s roadmap is the Commission itself. They estimate that at least 98,000 t of chemical pollution is attributable to unlawful Commission delays from just six of the roadmap files.
According to the authors of the report, these substances are associated with serious health effects, such as cancer, hormonal disorders, lower IQ in children, infertility and allergies.
The Commission has not commented on these accusations. The report also criticises an approach deemed more favourable to industrial interests in recent efforts to simplify the rules (see EUROPE 13849/9).
Link to the report: https://aeur.eu/f/lok (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)