Source: European Parliament
The EU chemicals strategy for sustainability (CSS), introduced in 2020 as part of the European Green Deal, sets out 85 actions to curb chemical pollution, safeguard human and environmental health, and boost innovation and competitiveness in the chemicals sector. While notable progress has been made – such as the revision of the Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulation and the Industrial Emissions Directive – several key actions remain unfulfilled. Foremost among them are the delayed revision of the REACH Regulation and the failure to ban exports of hazardous chemicals prohibited within the EU. Scientific research continues to reveal the health risks posed by man-made chemicals, particularly chemical mixtures and persistent substances such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are widely present in human populations and the environment. These substances are linked to chronic illnesses, ecosystem degradation, and significant economic losses, with pollution-related health impacts costing an estimated 5 % of global gross domestic product. Efforts to manage these risks are undermined by regulatory delays and fragmented implementation, challenging the EU’s ambition for a toxic-free environment and its credibility as a global leader in chemical safety. Newly launched or forthcoming initiatives such as the Clean Industrial Deal, the competitiveness compass and the chemicals industry package reflect the EU’s continued commitment to sustainable chemicals policy. However, without clear alignment with the long-term strategies for a competitive and sustainable chemicals industry that were developed by the European Commission during its previous mandate (the CSS and the transition pathway for the chemicals industry), and without proper coordination, these overlapping strategies risk duplicating efforts and creating confusion. Key elements to ensure consistent and effective delivery include putting renewed focus on completing outstanding commitments, assessing existing strategies, integrating scientific insights, and streamlining governance to build a coherent and resilient regulatory framework.