Chemicals and health Policy developments - An overview of policy developments in the EU.

The Swedish Presidency of the European Union Council is leading discussions on exposures to Endocrine Disruptors (EDCs) and the need to take into account the combined effects of hazardous chemicals, particularly EDCs.

Read HEAL and partner’s response to the conclusions from the December Environment Ministers Council (22nd Dec) "Ministers worried about hazardous chemicals cocktails, but postpone action"

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) held the 10th meeting of its Member State Committee to examine the nominations for 15 more chemicals to REACH’s ‘most harmful’ or ‘candidate’ list. Lisette van Vliet, Toxics Policy Advisor, attended the meeting as an observer. HEAL is consistently calling for a swifter pace of nominations and approvals, and monitoring the process closely with respect to certain chemicals, for example phthalates which are toxic to reproduction and endocrine disruptors. For more details, contact Lisette

The European Parliament is preparing its own report on the European Commission’s Communication on Cancer. The lead committee is ENVI, with opinions from the Gender and Industry/Research committees. HEAL is in contact with the relevant parliamentarians and closely following this file in order to ensure that the role of environmental factors, specifically chemical contamination is duly recognised, and taken up in actions on prevention of cancer incidence.

HEAL’s action on environment and health

 At the EU Environment ministers meeting, Ministers expressed concerns that the environment and the health of European citizens may not be properly protected from the combined effects of hazardous chemicals, particularly those that can disrupt hormones. However, they decided to postpone any decisions on tackling this problem by reducing the combined exposure to such chemicals.

HEAL alongside other environment, health, women’s and consumer organisations welcome the ministers’ recognition of the risks of the so-called ‘cocktail effects’, but warn that what is really needed are urgent measures to reduce exposure to hazardous chemicals from various sources and their substitution with safer alternatives. Read the full press release.

 HEAL participated in the European week on Biomonitoring Nov 30th – Dec 3rd in Brussels, including the JRC workshop, and first meeting the EU funded research project, COPHES, in which HEAL is a partner.

 HEAL participated in the first meeting for the European Partnership on Action Against Cancer in Brussels on Dec 7th & 8th, and attended the workgroup on prevention issues.

 HEAL participated in an informal workshop on Endocrine Disruption held on December 9th in Brussels, looking at ways to advance the EU Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals Strategy.

 HEAL participated in and presented updates to an NGO meeting on chemicals politics held by the European Environmental Bureau on December 10th & 11th.

 Recent media coverage on HEAL and chemicals and health. HEAL in the media

Your action

You can help get more chemicals regulated under REACH, and strengthen the Right to Know about harmful chemicals in consumer products. Use our model letter to contact your national environment ministry (or the relevant authority- see our list), and urge them to nominate more chemicals to REACH’s ‘most harmful’ list. The next deadline is early February, so now is the time to contact them. Please see here for a model letter, and the details about your ministry.

 Please join us in our consumer right to know initiative, as we collaborate with other groups this winter and into next year. We are organizing and coordinating specific actions and projects. Please contact Lisette for more details.