About: Chemicals

Tattoo artists in uproar over EU ink bans

Tattoo parlours across the European Union were in crisis on as a new rule came into force which effectively bans many of their most popular inks and which one artist described as like taking "taking the flour from a bakery."

Two million animals stand in firing line of EU’s new sustainable chemical ambitions

Requirements in the EU’s chemical strategy for sustainability would see an additional 2 million animals used for testing unless a concerted effort is made to invest in alternatives to animal testing, stakeholders have warned.

EU should review approval of plastics with toxic softener DEHP – top court adviser

The European Commission should review a decision to let companies use recycled plastics containing DEHP, a toxic additive, since it failed to properly consider associated health risks, an adviser to the EU's top court said on Thursday (25 February).

20% of UK chemicals registrations face revocation after Brexit

Around 20% of registrations from UK-based companies to the European Union's REACH chemicals database have not been transferred to EU companies and will be revoked after 31 March 2021, according to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

Environment must be considered in moves to end period poverty

Scotland passed a law to make menstrual products free and end period poverty on Tuesday (24 November), but more needs to be done to discuss the environmental and health impacts of disposable products, according to environmental campaigners.

Europe aims for ‘zero pollution’ in upcoming chemicals strategy

The European Commission will publish a strategy on Wednesday (14 October) on zero pollution in the chemicals industry, but any white paper will have to walk the same, precarious tightrope as its predecessors.

Zero-emission EU industry ‘within reach’ but costly, study says

Bringing emissions from heavy industry down to net-zero by 2050 is possible but will require costly new production processes and a 25-60% increase in near-term capital investments to reach €40-50 billion per year, according to new research published on Thursday (25 April).

32% of chemicals non-compliant with EU rules

A third of chemicals do not comply with European Union rules due to insufficient toxicological data. EURACTIV France’s media partner the Journal de l’environnement reports.

Serbia launches probe into 1999 NATO bombing

Almost two decades after the NATO bombing of Serbia, local authorities there have launched an investigation to determine whether depleted uranium bombs were used, which could explain in surge in autoimmune diseases. EURACTIV.rs reports.

Environmental advocates slam ECHA for transparency shortfall

Environmental advocacy group ClientEarth has criticised the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) for transparency failings that restrict public access to information and slow the adoption of safer chemicals.

MEPs back down from EU bisphenol ban

MEPs have shied away from demanding a full ban on Bisphenol A, instead approving measures that will lower the amount of the chemical that can be part of food packaging.

EU recognises bisphenol A as an endocrine disruptor

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has classified bisphenol A, a chemical found in many common plastic products, as an endocrine disruptor and a ‘substance of very high concern’. EURACTIV France reports.

EU member states still divided over endocrine disruptor regulation

At a meeting of experts yesterday (21 December) the European Commission failed to bridge the gap between member states on setting criteria for endocrine disruptors.

EFSA launches public consultation into ‘cocktail effects’ of chemicals

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has asked the public for input on the complex question of the "cocktail effects" of chemical substances. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.

Water industry: Light criteria on endocrine disruptors benefit polluters

A less strict approach on defining endocrine disruptors will help industries producing such substances “pollute and not pay”, the association representing Europe's water sector (EurEau) told EURACTIV.com.

Cosmetics industry enters new research era after animal-testing ban

Since the EU banned animal-tested ingredients in 2013 the cosmetics industry has sought new ways to assess chemical safety, for example via a public-private partnership with the European Commission.

MEPs block Commission proposal to recycle hormone disrupting plastics

The European Parliament overwhelmingly rejected the Commission's plans to allow the recycling of PVC plastics containing DEHP, a hormone disruptor banned in the EU since February 2015. Our partner Journal de l'Environnement reports. 

EU court ruling toughens regulations on chemicals of ‘very high concern’

The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled on 10 September to strengthen the obligations of manufacturers to declare the presence of ‘substances of very high concern’ in their products. Journal de l'Environnement reports. 

TTIP a threat to EU chemical safety standards, German NGO says

Friends of the Earth Germany (BUND) sees the transatlantic trade agreement TTIP as a threat to standards protecting against chemicals that may be harmful to humans and the environment. The chemicals industry “vehemently” objected to the NGO’s claim. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Chemical industry guarded about its European future

The European chemical sector has issued a “very serious” warning about its slumping competitiveness, but refuses to be alarmist just yet, saying shareholders should not worry, that big industrial groups are now global, and less exposed to Europe.