HEAL and several of members participated in the Second World Health Organization Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health in Colombia, March 2025, to showcase how health engagement for clean air can make a difference, and to underline the urgency to act.
As the EU Commission and representatives of member states gather on 3 April to discuss the reform of EU chemicals legislation REACH, HEAL stresses the importance of putting health at the core of the revision. The CARACAL meeting will see the EU Commission present their initial plan for reforming REACH.
The REACH revision, which sets out how the EU registers evaluates, authorises and restricts chemicals, is much overdue as too many harmful chemicals such as PFAS, bisphenols and PVC are still allowed to be used in a myriad of consumer products despite the serious warnings already issued.
To protect people’s health and streamline the law, HEAL urges decisionmakers to ensure these simple provisions are incorporated in REACH:
- Do not allow chemicals on to the market without sufficient safety data.
- Shift the burden of proof from authorities to manufacturers.
- Assess and regulate entire groups of chemicals (instead of one at a time).
- Assess combinations of chemicals representing real-life exposures.
- Apply clear criteria for what constitutes an ‘essential use’ of a harmful chemical.
- Fine companies for non-compliance if they do not meet REACH requirements.
“In the CARACAL meeting, the Commission has to deliver on the promises of the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability and propose a REACH revision. The reform must consider the ample scientific evidence concerning the presence of known health-harming chemicals in consumer products and the environment, which contribute to lifelong negative effects and can even be passed on to future generations. Policymakers can do that by prioritising a precautionary, health-protective approach to chemicals management in the EU.” Sandra Jen, Programme Lead for Health and Chemicals at HEAL states.
HEAL welcomes the opportunity to exchange with the EU Commission and member state experts on the visions and regulatory proposals for one of the main legal frameworks on chemicals in the EU.
Notes:
CARACAL is an expert group advising the European Commission and the European Chemicals Agency on implementing REACH and the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP Regulation). It includes national authorities from the EU, EEA-EFTA countries, and observers from non-EU countries, industry, NGOs, trade unions, and international organisations.
For more information on HEAL’s work on REACH, click here
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