Europe needs to accelerate shift to safer chemicals: EEA & ECHA

The investigation has revealed significant advancements in the identification of the hazardous properties of chemicals within the European Union (EU), thanks to increased scrutiny under the EU’s chemicals legislation. This improved understanding has led to numerous measures aimed at minimising and managing the risks associated with various groups of substances.

While the use of the most harmful substances is still on the rise, the increase is slower compared to the general chemicals market growth. These harmful chemicals include those that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic. There is growing momentum to curtail the utilisation of substances of concern and to adopt the principles of the 'safe and sustainable by design' framework, according to the joint EEA-ECHA synthesis report.

The report calls for greater enforcement to ensure consumer products are free from the most dangerous chemicals, such as those that disrupt the endocrine system or are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic, posing long-term risks even after their use ends.

Furthermore, the agencies urge the need for more comprehensive data and insights to understand better the exposure and impacts of these hazardous chemicals on humans and the environment. Despite the increase in available indicators, the findings clearly state that the transition to safer, more sustainable chemicals is imperative and must be expedited.

“The health of European citizens and our environment should be a priority and this first-ever benchmarking shows that while chemicals have a positive role to play in our lives, further action is urgently needed to address the risks posed by the use of unsafe and unsustainable substances. The knowledge that is being generated in this assessment will help us shift to safe and sustainable chemicals in the future,” said Leena Yla-Mononen, EEA executive director.

“We need to accelerate the transition towards safe and sustainable chemicals. Action by authorities and industry has helped to minimise and control the risks from hazardous chemicals. But we need to further increase knowledge on chemicals and support risk management of groups of chemicals to protect people and the environment,” said Sharon McGuinness, ECHA executive director.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)