EU Council confirms Chemicals Strategy
Member States discussed implementation by the European Commission of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS). At the Council meeting of 14th October 2024, national Environment Ministers discussed the CSS, as a key part of the EU Green Deal, in particular the revision of REACH (the EU Chemicals Regulation), the restriction of PFAS, banning export of chemicals which are banned in Europe and strengthening the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The Hungary Presidency’s preparatory note to the meeting states: “It should remain a priority for the EU and its Member States to reach the objectives of the Strategy [CSS] while also considering the new challenges”. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen has written that the EU must “stay the course on the goals set out in the European Green Deal”. and that a “new chemicals industry package, aiming at sustainable competitiveness of this enabling industry … will simplify REACH and provide clarity on PFAS ... with sustainability, competitiveness, security and safety considerations in mind”.
Ursula von der Leyen’s “mission letter” for the new Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, 17th September 2024 https://commission.europa.eu/about/commission-2024-2029/commissioners-designate-2024-2029_en
“Council urges Commission to take effective measures for Chemicals Strategy implementation”, European Environmental Bureau, 14th October 2024 https://eeb.org/council-urges-commission-to-take-effective-measures-for-chemicals-strategy-implementation/
“Environment Council, 14 October 2024, Main results” https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/env/2024/10/14/
“Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability – State of play and way forward - Exchange of views”, Hungary Presidency preparatory note for Council, 4th October 2024 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-13949-2024-INIT/en/pdf
