European Union

EU PFAS Generic Restriction – Recently leaked documents from the Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO) reveal that industry representatives are relying on legal opinions to push back against the planned regulations. A key argument is that the EU’s proposed restriction unfairly groups over 10,000 PFAS compounds together, assuming they all share the

Europe

Universal PFAS restriction – The last meetings of the Committees for Risk Assessment and Socio-Economic Analysis focused on PFAS restrictions in several sectors. Provisional conclusions were reached on restricting PFAS in construction products, textiles, upholstery, leather, apparel, carpets, and food contact materials and packaging. Future evaluations are planned for March 2025, with discussions on

The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) introduced new hazard classes into the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP) Annexes Regulation back in December 2022 via Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/707.

The new classes, namely Endocrine Disruptors (ED), Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT), very Persistent and very Bioaccumulative (vPvB), Persistent, Mobile and Toxic

European Union

Progress update on the Universal PFAS restriction proposal –  The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), in collaboration with the five national authorities that submitted the PFAS restriction proposal, has issued an update on the progress of the proposal.  This update indicates a refined approach that could allow certain uses of PFAS to be exempt

Our latest updates on Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) across Europe.

European Union

Designated Commissioners on PFAS: Jessika Roswall, designated Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience, and a Competitive Circular Economy, and Stéphane Séjourné, designated Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, will undergo candidate hearings in the EU Parliament before a confirmation vote. As

On 21 October 2024, the EU Ombudsman issued Recommendations in the context of her own-initiative investigation on ‘The risk management of dangerous chemical substances by the European Commission’ (Case OI/2/2023/MIK).

The inquiry, opened on 8 June 2023, investigates the Commission’s practices – notably its delays – in the examination of requests for

In response to questions raised by MEPs, Candidate Commissioners Stéphane Séjourné (see letter) and Jessika Roswall (see letter) presented their views on the upcoming Chemicals Industry package, announced by President Ursula Von der Leyen in her Political Guidelines.

Both candidates commit to the creation of a “more efficient regulatory framework

The European Commission (EC) has published its Report on its 2023 Anti-Dumping, Anti-Subsidy and Safeguard activities. Along with the Report, the Commission has also shared a more detailed Staff Working Document.

Different trends emerge. First, EU trade defense activity was intense in 2023. In particular, the number of new investigations initiated by the EC

European Union

PFHxA Restriction: The European Commission has introduced new restrictions on undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), a substance that is a part of the PFAS family, and related substances under the REACH Regulation. This applies to products where PFHxA poses significant risks and safer alternatives exist. Affected products include consumer textiles, food packaging, cosmetics, and certain

Georgie Messent and Thomas Delille joined ICIS – Chemical Podcasts this week to discuss how Europe’s beleaguered petrochemical industry could see its fortunes improve if the EU’s new industrial policy proposals are adopted, along with a fair regulatory framework. Listen to the podcast to hear them discuss:

  • Crucial moment with momentum building for new approach