HEAL advocates for policies to benefit peoples’ health and the environment
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Press contact: Nea Pakarinen nea@env-health.org
European climate resilience framework proposal inadequate to protect people’s health
In view of the existential, transnational threat of the climate emergency in Europe, the European Commission's light touch approach is woefully inadequate and a huge disappointment.
European Parliament calls for stronger political commitments on phasing out fossil fuels
Today, the European Parliament called for stronger political commitments on phasing out fossil fuels as soon as possible in a resolution on the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Türkiye (COP31). This echoes the call made this summer by over 30 health groups: to phase out fossil fuels swiftly.
Twenty health organisations call for strong health protection in the EU climate resilience framework
Climate-related health impacts are shaped by decisions in all sectors, including housing, urban planning, energy, transport, agriculture, and environmental policies.
The countdown to clean air for health
In delivering for clean air for health the role of member states is key: EU member states have to complete EU AAQD transposition into national law by 11 December 2026. In this countdown to clean air for health, HEAL is highlighting the ways the health community can become involved in transposing the AAQD into national law.
The countdown to clean air for health – HEAL and EFA webinar on key air quality and health information tools
Join this webinar organised by HEAL and EFA and navigate with us through the different air and health information systems.
A health reset for health protection from environment and climate threats
In a letter ahead of the publication of the European Commission work programme 2027, HEAL has sent a letter to President von der Leyen, to call on resetting this Commission for preventing disease and health cost in next year’s work programme, by withdrawing the Food and Feed Safety Omnibus proposal and refraining from proposing any further environmental and climate simplification proposals.
EU budget performance: Increased transparency and accountability for people’s health
HEAL has sent a letter to members of the EP BUDG and CONT committees highlighting that it is crucial that the next EU budget provides the necessary investments for preventing disease and ill-health, and ensures adequate transparency and oversight on the tracking of this spending.
European climate resilience framework proposal inadequate to protect people’s health
In view of the existential, transnational threat of the climate emergency in Europe, the European Commission's light touch approach is woefully inadequate and a huge disappointment.
Over 500 scientists and doctors call on European Parliament to pause pesticide deregulation
European scientists and doctors have sent a letter urging the European Parliament to suspend the Food and Feed Safety Simplification Omnibus, until an independent scientific investigation on its health and environmental impacts has been conducted.
EU court dismisses industry appeal on of health-harming pesticide chlorpyrifos-methyl
The European Court of Justice dismissed the appeal from pesticide manufacturers to challenge once again the non-renewal of the pesticide chlorpyrifos-methyl. Studies show that chlorpyrifos-methyl can impact brain development (developmental neurotoxicity) and cause DNA damage (genotoxicity) – both potentially leading to adverse effects across generations.
Over 30 health groups call to phase out fossil fuels
The EU Healthy Air Coalition (EUHAC), joined by European and global health organisations, has issued a statement calling on EU policymakers to phase out fossil fuels swiftly.
Press note: Compromise on EU cosmetic rules rejects some threats to health but weakens current safety rules
The trilogue negotiations on the Chemical Omnibus, which includes changes in the Cosmetic Products Regulation, concluded yesterday. The compromise reached between the co-legislators includes important agreements, notably rejecting exemptions for the use of carcinogens by inhalation or ingestion in cosmetic products. Yet the outcome weakens the current safety rules for cosmetic products when it comes to health.
Press note: EU Parliament vote curbs some threats to cosmetics law, but gaps in health protection persist
In today's Chemicals Omnibus vote on the Cosmetic Products Regulation, HEAL welcomes the Parliament's alignment with the Council to reject exemptions for carcinogenic substances by inhalation or ingestion (exposure routes). Yet, from a health perspective, the upcoming trilogue negotiations between Council, Parliament and the EU Commission need to go further to prevent problematic proposals that would weaken the current protections against cancer-causing substances in cosmetics.
HEAL comment on comitology on the REACH chemicals legislation
European Commissioner Roswall has confirmed that the Commission is no longer planning to revise REACH within its current mandate, but looking into the comitology process.
Twenty health organisations call for strong health protection in the EU climate resilience framework
Climate-related health impacts are shaped by decisions in all sectors, including housing, urban planning, energy, transport, agriculture, and environmental policies.
A health reset for health protection from environment and climate threats
In a letter ahead of the publication of the European Commission work programme 2027, HEAL has sent a letter to President von der Leyen, to call on resetting this Commission for preventing disease and health cost in next year’s work programme, by withdrawing the Food and Feed Safety Omnibus proposal and refraining from proposing any further environmental and climate simplification proposals.
EU budget performance: Increased transparency and accountability for people’s health
HEAL has sent a letter to members of the EP BUDG and CONT committees highlighting that it is crucial that the next EU budget provides the necessary investments for preventing disease and ill-health, and ensures adequate transparency and oversight on the tracking of this spending.
Cities and regions need climate and environment investments for people’s health
HEAL calls on EP ENVI and CoR ENVE to place particular emphasis on increasing public investments for disease prevention, health resilience to climate change, and pollution prevention in the next EU budget, for people's health in cities and regions.
European Council budget discussion: HEAL letter on climate resilience and pollution prevention
Ahead of EU heads of states and governments discussing next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-34 on 15-16 October 2026, HEAL has sent a letter calling to place particular emphasis on increasing public investments for disease prevention, health resilience to climate change and pollution prevention in the next EU budget.
Higher EU investments in climate resilience and pollution prevention crucial for health
HEAL has sent a letter to members of the European Parliament, ahead of their discussion on An ambitious Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028 - 2034 for a strong and resilient Europe, calling on decision makers to increase investments in climate resilience and pollution prevention for health.
HEAL calls on the Commission to Withdraw the Food and Feed Safety simplification omnibus proposal
The Food and Feed Safety simplification omnibus proposal puts health at risk. Health groups have significant concerns that this proposal, as well as some amendments proposed by the co-legislators, would lead to a weakening of key health protective provisions...
The countdown to clean air for health – HEAL and EFA webinar on key air quality and health information tools
Join this webinar organised by HEAL and EFA and navigate with us through the different air and health information systems.
Webinar: Pesticides and Parkinson’s disease: the health impacts of regulatory decisions
Watch the recording of the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the Dutch Parkinson's Association (De Parkinson Vereniging) for our upcoming science and policy webinar, “Pesticides and Parkinson's disease: the health impacts of regulatory decisions”
Webinar: The countdown to clean air for health
Join the HEAL webinar on the Ambient Air Quality Directive transposition, 23 June, 2pm CEST
Webinar: Strengthening climate resilience in Poland: the role of the health sector
Join the webinar on 12 May, 16.00-18.00 CEST.
Plastic, Chemicals & Infertility: What we know now
In this EDC Strategies Partnership webinar, Dr. Swan discussed the science behind the "Plastic Detox" movie, details of the “detox” process the participating couples undertook, and how to understand the implications of this experiment.
Investing in better health: HEAL webinar series on reducing cost from air pollution and strengthening prevention
The EU Health Policy Platform and HEAL are co-organising a webinar Reducing costs from air pollution and strengthening prevention on Monday 22 September 2025, the first in a webinar series to highlight why clean air investments are key to strengthening health protection and disease prevention.
Webinar: EDCs & Female Reproductive Health: A growing health concern
Dr. Anne-Simone Parent, a researcher from the MERLON project, of which HEAL is a partner, presented the findings from their recent review paper, "Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and female reproductive health: A growing concern." This highlights how EDCs impact the development of female reproductive disorders and the challenges behind proving the causality between exposure and human disease manifestation. The female reproductive disorders include abnormal puberty, impaired fertility, premature menopause or polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Voices of Hope: Phyto-Victimes
Phyto-Victimes was founded in France in 2011 by agricultural workers who had reached two painful…
Voices of Hope: video series
As we move into 2026, we're drawing inspiration from individuals who create real change through…
Adding a Mixture Assessment Factor to REACH
Adding a Mixture Assessment Factor (MAF) to the REACH legislation is a simple way to…
Agriculture and pesticides in France – Exhibition video
Agriculture & Pesticides: Sortons de la dépendance à cette relation toxique This video was made…
Six demands for a health-first reform of REACH
The European Commission has announced an overhaul of REACH, the legislation that regulates harmful chemicals…
A pesticide-free EU: an opportunity to protect health
HEAL calls on the EU to step up action for a Pesticide Free EU Watch…
