The European Commission published its “roadmap” on Monday to eliminate thousands of the most dangerous substances from consumer products by 2030.
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The promise of a revolution. After multiple reports, due in particular to the fierce resistance of the industry, the European Commission publishes, Monday, April 25, its “roadmap” to eliminate the chemicals most dangerous for the health and the environment of large products consumption. Pillar of the “zero pollution” strategy of the European green pact, it aims to “guarantee an environment without toxic substances” by 2030.
phtalates, bisphenols, pvc, parabens, glycol ethers, bromé flame delayers, perfluorized compounds (PFAS) … These so -called “daily” pollutants are everywhere: toys, bottles, pacifiers, food packaging, clothing, furniture, devices Electronics, cosmetics, paintings, cleaning products. In total, several thousand toxic products will be prohibited in the coming years.
“These restrictions aim to reduce the exposure of people and the environment to some of the most dangerous chemicals by targeting a wide range of uses, industrial, professional and in consumer products”, commented the European environment commissioner, Virginjus sinkevicius. A commitment hailed as a “historic” turning point by NGOs and researchers who have alert for more than a decade to the dangers of this protean pollution.
black list
At the European Union level (EU), around 300 million tonnes of chemical substances are produced each year by industry, according to Eurostat, the EU Statistical Office. The vast majority (74 %) are deemed “dangerous for health or the environment” by the European Environment Agency. This represents around 12,000 substances. Most are considered potential endocrine disruptors. And almost one in five is classified as potentially carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic for reproduction (CMR).
Until now, the restrictions mainly concerned the substances suspected CMR (1,775 are today referenced) and mainly applied to toys and cosmetics. The commission decided to change the gear by going to a massive ban phase. How ? By drawing up a blacklist. This list concerns groups of substances: it therefore has the great advantage of being able to target all substances of the same family without passing them each to the reel. This list will be scalable: new substances can be added over time and scientific research.
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