A 130 page report for the European Commission on the strategy for a non-toxic environment (required by the 7th EU Environment Action Plan) assesses and makes proposals for chemicals policy.
The report particularly looks at substitution, chemicals in articles, protection of children and reproduction, very persistent chemicals, innovation and competitiveness, development of new non-toxic chemicals and early-warning identification of chemical risks. Halogenated flame retardants are identified as problematic (e.g. box p.34) and it is proposed to fix limit values for brominated flame retardants in the Drinking Water Directive (p. 72). pinfa comment: the non-halogenated substance TPP (triphenyl phosphate) is already proposed as a candidate for the Water Framework Directive WATCH list. Ensuring compatibility of chemicals with safe recycling (Circular Economy) is an identified priority and persistent flame retardants as an obstacle. Priorities are identified as persistent chemicals, understanding effects of combinations of chemicals, nanomaterials and endocrine disruptors. Proposed actions include increased human biomonitoring of chemicals, support to development of non-toxic substitute chemicals and their uptake by user industries and increased control of chemicals in articles, including imported articles.
“Study for the strategy for a non-toxic environment of the 7th Environment Action Programme Final Report”, for the European Commission (DG ENVI), Ökopol – RPA – RIVM, August 2017, ISBN 978-92-79-71778-9 http://dx.doi.org/10.2779/025 or https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/89fbbb74-969c-11e7-b92d-01aa75ed71a1/language-en/format-PDF