Press note: NGOs call for ban of harmful chemicals PFAS and bisphenols in toys
Several organisations, including HEAL, are calling for European Commissioner Séjourné to ensure the most harmful chemicals will no longer be allowed in children’s toys. The EU is currently revising its Toy Safety Legislation — a key opportunity for policymakers to strengthen protections for children against most harmful chemicals with no further delay.
Toxic-free toys for European children!
HEAL, alongside other organisations, are calling for on Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, to commit to revise the Toy Safety law in the European public interest and protect Europe’s children from the most harmful chemicals in toys.
HEAL, EEB, ChemTrust comments to the Commission proposal on new REACH information requirements for endocrine disruptors
HEAL, together with the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and ChemTrust, has submitted joint comments to the Commission proposal on new REACH information requirements for endocrine disruptors.
The next EU budget: Strengthening financing for zero pollution, climate resilience and disease prevention
In the coming months, EU institutions will negotiate the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The MFF is the EU’s long-term budget, usually covering a seven-year period. It details the public spending for different areas of EU policies, including environment and climate action.
Polish Parliament event on the link between pollution and cancer
On World Cancer Day, representatives from the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) Poland attended the meeting of the Parliamentary Group "Rodzice dla Klimatu" (Parents for Climate). Experts from non-governmental organisations, the scientific community, and the healthcare sector discussed the impact of pollution on cancer and prevention. Olga Wdowiczak, environmental health policy specialist at HEAL, presented findings on how exposure to hazardous chemicals increases the cancer risk, particularly for children.
The Clean Industrial Deal needs to be a zero-pollution deal
Against the backdrop of an ever-growing body of evidence on the health impacts and cost of people's exposure to pollution, HEAL is concerned that the Clean Industrial Deal misses the opportunity to set the EU on the path for swift and significant pollution reduction and disease prevention. To work for people in the EU and their health, the Clean Industrial Deal needs to be a zero pollution deal, with three principles at its core.
HEAL Poland continues to build capacity on health threats of chemicals
To address growing concern about harmful chemicals in Poland and to raise awareness about the impacts of chemicals on health in Poland, HEAL in November 2024 has started publishing materials and articles on the matter and engage the Polish health sector.
Calling for the most ambitious children’s health protection in revision of EU Toy Safety Regulation
HEAL has sent a letter to EU member states Permanent Representatives regarding the ongoing negotiations between the Council, Parliament and Commission on the revision of the EU Toy Safety Regulation.
HEAL webinar series on the health impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances
To raise awareness of the impacts of PFAS on human health, HEAL is organising a series of three webinars in October 2024, each focusing on a different health impact of PFAS. The first webinar on 10 October focuses on impacts on the immune system. The subsequent webinars will focus on cancer and the impacts of exposure in early life and pregnancy.
Joint letter to EU Commission President Von der Leyen: It’s time to end “the worst pollution crisis in human history”: Ban PFAS
More than 90 organisations have written to EU Commission President Von der Leyen regarding the PFAS pollution crisis.
A BPA ban in food contact materials is good news for health – but further restrictions of bisphenols in other consumer products needed
The ban of BPA in food contact materials will help protect people from these endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), that have also been classified as toxic for reproduction since 2006 under REACH. Exposure to Bisphenol A and other bisphenols is associated with breast cancer, infertility, early puberty, diabetes and obesity, and neurological disorders in children. But this restriction focuses on one area where bisphenols are widely used – the work to protect people's health from the group of chemicals, and in particular children is therefore far from over.
Press note: Clean-up and health-related costs of PFAS pollution in Europe amount to billions– an EU-wide restriction is crucial
Press note: The Forever Lobbying Project investigation finds that the clean-up of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in Europe could cost 100 billion euros annually. Health-related costs for PFAS exposure are estimated to reach up to 84 billion euros annually. With these revelations, combined with the mounting scientific evidence on PFAS’ grave health impacts, it is clear that the European Commission must ensure a robust EU-wide PFAS restriction and come up with a plan to address these costs as part of the Clean Industrial Deal.
Joint letter to members of REACH committee on implementation of restriction agenda
The undersigned organisations urge the REACH committee to advocate for accelerating the implementation of the restriction agenda, which is crucial for the timely phase-out of the most harmful chemicals within the EU and support the progressive industry.
Joint letter to EU Commission President: Support for the PFAS restriction proposal at EU level
Scientists and civil society organisations have sent a letter to EU Commission President Von der Leyen asking her to support an undisturbed continuation of the evaluation of the universal PFAS restriction proposal in its unchanged form, so that a significant and timely reduction in PFAS emissions can be achieved.
Letter to EU Commission President: Safety of food contact materials: 20 years of inaction on EU’s basic rules
The letter, signed by more than 50 organisations, expresses concern about the current state of the EU Food Contact Materials Regulation revision (EC 1935/2004) due to its significant delay.
Joint letter to ministers of health on shaping a comprehensive global plastics treaty
Leading up to the fifth and final round of negotiations for the Global Plastics Treaty that will take place 25 November - 1 December 2024, in Busan, South Korea, HEAL together with Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) Europe wrote to all European health ministers highlighting the urgent need to address the severe health and environmental impacts of plastics, including in the healthcare sector.
HEAL assessment of the trio hearings of Vice-President-designate Ribera, Vice-President-designate Séjourné and Commissioner-designate Hoekstra
Over the past days, MEPs held confirmation hearings with Vice-President-designate Ribera, Vice-President-designate Séjourné and Commissioner-designate Hoekstra, whose complementary and mutually enabling portfolios respectively focus on “Clean, Just and Competitive Transition”, “Prosperity and Industrial Strategy” and “Climate, Net-Zero and Clean Growth”. HEAL was encouraged to see strong coherence among the three designates on their shared commitment to protecting health against this triple crisis.
