7 July 2008
The Basel Convention: COP9 meeting in Bali Indonesia
Within the frame-work of the ChemSec project for capacity-building of NGOs in the Global South, Mr. Richard Gutierrez from Ban Toxics!, the Philippines, attended the COP9 meeting of the Basel Convention process on 22-27 June in Bali, Indonesia.
Read Mr. Gutierrez report from the COP9 (doc, 35kB)
7 July 2008
ChemSec supports African NGOs fighting toxic pollution
Starting in 2007 ChemSec - together with IPEN and SSNC - runs a programme for support to and collaboration with non-governmental organizations in developing countries. The program has gradually grown to currently give grants to 13 NGOs that combat use and misuse of toxic chemicals.
The programme’s main geographical focus is Africa, where support is provided to activities and projects that reduce toxic chemical use while promoting safer chemicals management. The focus is towards industrial chemicals use (those outside of agrochemicals) and hazardous ingredients in products.
The program is financially supported by the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) through the Swedish Chemicals Agency (KemI).
Read more about the project and application procedures (doc, 27kB).
27 June 2008
EU agrees on Classification and Labelling
The EU legislators have reached an agreement on the Proposal for a Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, the CLP – regulation. In the process to adapt GHS, the Globally harmonised System for Classification and Labelling of chemicals to EU law, the negotiators representing the European Parliament and of the Council came to an agreement at the informal trilogue meeting of 19 June.
ChemSec welcomes the accord on the CLP-regulation, which will complement REACH in providing a harmonised approach in the new EU chemicals policy. The fact that the co-legislators introduced provisions taking into account the special need for a PBT labelling is encouraging, says Nardono Nimpuno, senior policy advisor at ChemSec. Since this group of chemicals, consisting of Persistent, Bio-accumulative and Toxic substances is identified as highly problematic in REACH, this acknowledgement has now rightly been recognised in the CLP-regulation.(Art. 53)
In addition, the final text dropped the unfortunate tonnage-limitations introduced be the European Parliaments Environment Committee regarding certain hazardous substances. The exclusion of certain CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic to reproduction) substances from the scope of the regulation was removed (Art. 1.2.d). Likewise, the proposal to exclude hazardous substances below the 1 tonne limit from notification obligations were deleted (Art. 40-41).
The Council formally approved the new text on 27 June, the European Parliament has scheduled its plenary CLP-decision to take part at its first September-session in Strasbourg.
Read the final text (doc, 398 kB)on 'Classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures', of 27 June 2008.
3 June 2008
ChemSec invites to a substitution conference!
ChemSec is proud to invite to a substitution conference on 17 September. There will be prominent representatives from both industry and ECHA present to discuss the who’s, why’s, and how’s of replacing unwanted chemicals in manufacture and products.
For more information and a draft agenda, please see the invitation at the REACH SIN* List (*Substitute It Now!) homepage.
28 April 2008
New electronics standard stopped!
ChemSec, together with 45 environment and health organisations, are happy to announce victory in the first battle against unnecessary flame retarding standards. Implementation of this global standard (IEC 62368, Technical requirements for all electronic equipment) would have doubled the use (estimations of increased use vary between 250 000– 750 000 tons) of flame retardants in electronic equipment causing great harm to human health and the environment.
The outcome of the vote in the National Committees of the IEC (International Electrotechnical Committee) last Friday (25 April) became public today. In total 18 of 31 voting countries (58%) cast a no vote to this new standard.
ChemSec and all organisations that have been active in this fight are of course very pleased with this victory. At the same time, NGOs remain concerned about the two upcoming amendments of existing standards containing the same environmental hazards. The amendments of these existing standards (60065 and 60950) are up for voting in a near future and they must be stopped for the same reason.
For more information, please contact Jerker Ligthart.
ChemSec Position Paper (pdf, 125 kB)
Joint White Paper (external link; pdf, 1 MB)
Link to the voting results within the IEC.
2 April 2008
European Parliament votes on Classification and Labelling
The Environment Committee of the European Parliament today voted on the CLP-regulation, on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures. ChemSec has in the run-up to the vote advocated an introduction of PBT-labelling and the re-introduction of Category 5, for acute oral toxicity in the proposal. However, the Environment Committee rejected the inclusion of PBT-labelling in the CLP regulation. The deputies also rejected amendments to include a category 5 for acute oral toxicity in the EU implementation of the UN developed GHS-system to be implemented in the EU.
2 April 2008
DECA banned in RoHS after European Court ruling
ChemSec welcomes ruling by the European Court of Justice revoking European Commission
decision to exclude DECA from RoHS directive.
From 1 July DECA will be banned in Electric and Electronic Equipment (EEE).
For more information see EEB press release (external link).
26 March 2008
EU-GHS – short films and latest from the European Parliament
In the beginning of April the Environment committee in the European Parliament will vote on an law proposal regarding
classification and labeling of chemicals. ChemSec welcomes the introduction of GHS in EU. However, the present
proposal has two important failures; it excludes Category 5 for acute oral toxicity and PBT-labelling is not foreseen.
ChemSec advocates the introduction of Cat. 5 and PBT-labelling in the EU-GHS. Please see our short films explaining these issues.
The films have been presented for the Environment committee members of the European Parliament.
Today the amendments tabled for the proposal of classification and labeling were discussed in the
Environment committee. On one hand some deputies expressed their will to adopt GHS as quick as
possible without any relevant amendments.
On the other hand a number of MEPs expressed the importance of EU being the global forerunner
in raising the level of protection for the citizens regarding category 5 acute toxicity.
They argued that amendments of the proposal are necessary. In addition several MEPs pointed
out the different functions of GHS and REACH and the need of proper information to consumers
labeling products containing PBTs.
The rapporteur Mrs Sartori pointed out that she wants to maintain her ambition to
achieve a rapid adoption of the law but she also expressed an open mind to the concern
raised by her colleagues regarding PBT and category 5 acute toxicity.
Please see the three ChemSec films (each ca 2 Minutes)
For more background information please read the ChemSec Position Paper (pdf).
ChemSec film 1
- Introduction to GHS
(Large! 48 Mb)
(Small 10 Mb)
Watch this film on YouTube
ChemSec film 2
- Why introduce category 5?
(Large! 40 Mb)
(Small 10 Mb)
Watch this film on YouTube
ChemSec film 3
- PBT-labelling is needed!
(Large! 51 Mb)
(Small 11 Mb)
Watch this film on YouTube
(You need Quicktime to view these movies)
26 March 2008
A massive increase of flame retardants – a concrete fear right now
A new international electronics standard (IEC 62368) concerning a great number of electronic equipment
is being developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Section 7 of this standard
requires all plastic enclosures to be highly resistant to an open flame. If this new standard should
be adopted, including Section 7, it means that an enormous amount of hazardous flame retardant chemicals
would need to be added to nearly all electronic products in order to fulfil the new requirements.
The enforcement of such a standard could also be in conflict with current EU environmental legislation.
In April the different national electronic standardizations committees will vote for or against the proposal.
In a previous preliminary vote the national committees voted in favour of this standard but they were at
that point not aware of the environmental implications following an adoption of this standard including Section 7.
ChemSec therefore strongly encourage all voting parties to vote against the proposal, adding the comment
that Section 7 should be deleted. ChemSec also ask stakeholders to actively contact their national committees
and urge them to vote NO to this new standard. Please see the attached list of national committees that will vote.
Most flame retardants in use today pose a serious threat to human health and the environment. Adding them to
the covers of TVs, stereos and computers would expose consumers to substances known to be neurotoxic,
endocrine disrupting and potential carcinogenic. Additionally there is no evidence for the actual need of
having such strict flame proofing in the covers of electronics.
Please note that there are two more electronic standards (IEC 60065 and IEC 60950-1) currently being voted
on for amending them with the same requirements as in Section 7 of IEC 62368. These standards are in use
until the new standard (62368) will enter into force. It is very important that the national committees
vote against the amendments for these two standards as well as the wording of the new standard.
Please see the ChemSec position paper (pdf) and an extensive white paper (external link, pdf) for more information.
Link to the voting national committees within the IEC.
28 January 2008
The GHS in the hands of EU-legislators
The European Parliament Environment Committee debates the GHS proposal.
The European Union is in the process of harmonising existing EU directives
on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures with
the Globally Harmonised System developed at UN level. On 28 January, The
EP Environment Committee discussed the draft report of MEP Amalia Sartori
on the Commissions proposal.
Link to the ChemSec GHS Position Paper (pdf)
25 January 2008
EU toys revision – not strict enough
The European Commission proposes a ban on all carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) substances in toys. However, the ban only refers to accessible parts of toys. In addition would the permitted levels of certain hazardous chemicals such as lead and mercury be reduced, but exceptions which would make it easy to get around the limits are allowed. The proposal does not include a ban on endocrine disruptors and sensitizers, that was demanded by the European Parliament last autumn. Certain allergenic fragrances would be banned according to the proposal, however there are no measures foreseen for other substances that can provoke allergies. The Precautionary Principle has unfortunately not been incorporated in the law proposal.
Links to the proposal (pdf) and the Press release (pdf) from the consumer organizations BEUC/ANEC.
11–12 December 2007
ChemSec Business Group meeting in Stockholm
ChemSec organised a work shop with its Business Group to discuss ways to prepare for Authorisation under REACH and related chemicals matters. The always relevant challenges the companies face in their in supply chain management were discussed as well as problems, solutions and ways forward surrounding Substitution of hazardous chemicals
29 November 2007
Backlash or progress in the Stockholm Convention?
The third meeting of the Review Committee (POPRC-3) to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), held in Geneva 19-23 November 2007, suggest eight chemicals for global elimination, but the environmental pollutant PFOS may suffer from several exemptions.
27 November 2007
Mercury Back on the Agenda
Most countries support a legally binding approach to control Mercury pollution. This is the main conclusion from the first meeting of the Open Ended Working Group on Mercury held in Bangkok, Thailand, 11-16 November 2007. This may be accomplished through an amendment to the Stockholm Convention or as a separate treaty. Intercessional collaboration will struggle with this challenge during the coming year.
27 November
The last hurdle before appointing the Director of the European Chemicals Agency
Last week, Geert Dancet, the Executive Director of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) appeared before the European Parliament and answered questions from Members of the Parliament. Now Mr Dancet is only a formal decision from being officially appointed Executive Director of ECHA. Mr. Dancet was elected in a vote with only two official candidates, the result of an internal European Commission short-listing procedure excluding all other applicants for the post. Serve critics on the selection procedure have been raised among NGOs and Members of the Parliament.
Strengthening NGO capacity on chemicals safety among NGOs in Belarus, Ukraine and Russia
Together with three environmental NGOs, FRI (Belarus), EcoAccord (Russia) and Mama86 (Ukraine), ChemSec will arrange a capacity-building workshop on chemicals safety in Stockholm, Sweden December 3-7, 2007. The workshop will build on previous projects and studies carried out in each country and focus on chemicals regulation in relation to SAICM and REACH as well as solutions to the hazards of leaking obsolete chemicals found in storages all over the three countries.
23 October, 2007
European Parliament votes on pesticides
The European Parliament plenary session vote on two pesticide dossiers did not result in the clear reduction of pesticide use in the European Union that health and environmental groups had hoped for. NGOs expressed disappointemt that the Members of the European Parliament had given in to pressure from industry in the vote on the Framework Directive on the sustainable use of pesticides, by dropping important gains achieved in the earlier vote in the European Parliament Environment Committee. E.g. proposals for a 20 percent reduction in pesticide use over ten years were rejected.However on a more positive note the Committee improvements on the Regulation on the placing on the market of pesticides were largely upheld. MEPS confirmed a ban on the sale of pesticides that may cause cancer, damage our reproductive, immune and neural systems, or affect child development as well as severely restrict pesticide spraying in and around sensitivge areas, such as residential areas, playgrounds and healthcare facilities.
17 October 2007
Controversy surrounding appointment of ECHA Director
Geert Dancet, the serving interim executive director of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), has been elected by a two-thirds majority of its management board to take on the role for the next five years. In spite of severe criticism from environmental groups on the appropriateness of his candidature and questions from the European Parliament’s Environment Committee on the selection-procedure leading up to the final vote, the European Commission official emerged as the preferred candidate of the European Chemicals Agency’s Management Board.
17 October 2007
ChemSec to develop an NGO REACH Priority List
ChemSec in collaboration with NGOs in Europe and beyond is developing an NGO REACH Priority List to kick-start the REACH Authorisation process, fast-track the most urgent Substances of Very High Concern for substitution, and to facilitate toxic use reduction by businesses.
4 October 2007
Candidates proposed for ECHA executive director
The European Commission has suggested merely two candidates for the post as Executive Director of the new European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Both candidates have been interviewed by ECHA management board and a final decision is expected to be taken this month.
The two candidates are:
• Geert Dancet, former head of the REACH unit in the commission's own
industry department and currently interim executive director of the agency.
• Anne Lambert, deputy head of the UK permanent representation to
the EU.
A third alternative, Ethel Forsberg, was disregarded by the Commission despite her very good record as director-general of the Swedish Chemicals Agency.
“The Dirty 30” - the most polluted sites in the world
U.S.-based Blacksmith Institute and the Green Cross Switzerland, has issued a report listing “The Dirty 30” – most polluted sites in the world. The report demonstrates that huge investments are still required for remediation and health in many parts of the world. Increased efforts and contribution to chemical management and chemical waste management through SAICM, the Strategic Approach for International Chemical Management is required. Many sites in the report are contaminated with heavy metals. ChemSec calls for an initiative to establish an International convention on heavy metals.
Brussels, 12 September 2007
EU Environment Committee Vote on Pesticides rules
In a vote parallel to the June-vote on the the proposed Thematic Strategy and Framework Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides, The Environment Committee of the European Parliament today voted to strengthen the Commission proposal for a regulation on the placing of Plant Protection Products on the market.
22 August 2007
Paraquat banned in the EU - update
On 11 July 2007 the Court of first Instance of the European Communities decided to annul the directive authorising paraquat as an active plant protection substance.
In response to the decision, several EU member states have decided to withdraw the authorisation of paraquat pesticides.
An appeal may be brought before the Court of Justice of the European Communities against a decision of the Court of First Instance, within two months of its notification.
11 July 2007
Paraquat banned in the EU
Today, 11 July 2007 the Court of first Instance of the European Communities decided to annul the directive authorizing paraquat as an active plant protection substance.
This active substance has been banned in 13 countries, including Sweden,
Denmark, Austria and Finland. However, in 2003 the European Commission decided
to authorize paraquat as an active substance in plant protection products.
Sweden, supported by Denmark, Austria, and Finland, brought the European
Union commission to court and today the decision was taken in favor of Sweden.
In the court decision it says “The Commission’s handling of
the file does not satisfy the applicable procedural requirements and the
directive fails to satisfy the requirement of protection of human and animal
health”
- This is an important decision, since it states that directive 2003/11
fails to satisfy the requirement of protection of human health, says Anne-Sofie
Andersson, Director of the International Chemical Secretariat (ChemSec)
Read more, Link to court decision
27 June 2007
GHS in the EU: law proposal is out
On 27 th of June, the European Commission has proposed a legislation to incorporate globally harmonised system (GHS) into EU law. It will introduce new classification criteria, hazard symbols (pictograms) and labelling phrases, while taking account of elements which are part of the current EU legislation. The law proposal will now be discussed by the European Parliament and Council. ChemSec will evaluate the proposal and write an analysis as soon as possible.
Read more about GHS in the EU, Read the proposal
Brussels, 26 June 2007
EU Environment Committee Vote on Pesticides
The Environment Committee of the European Parliament today voted to strengthen the proposed Thematic Strategy and Framework Directive on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides.
Members of the European Parliament have successfully brought in some positive measures to reduce total exposure to and risks from pesticides. The main areas where improvements were introduced were protection of water, aerial spraying, taxes and levies, vulnerable groups and buffer zones.
Read more, Press release European NGOs
7 May
Production and Use of DDT on the Rise Following Stockholm Convention Adoption
At the on-going Third Conference of Parties to the Stockholm Convention (COP3) in Dakar, Senegal, attending delegations were surprised to learn that DDT production and use is again rising rapidly, despite a global agreement to restrict and eliminate it. Accordingly, members of the Pesticide Action Network (PAN) and the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) called on the international community to re-commit to controlling malaria in Africa and elsewhere by effective means that do not require DDT.
Read the PAN_IPEN press release (doc, 25 kB)
7 May
Chemsec business-dialogue for active chemicals management
On 26 April 2007 Chemsec organised a meeting on Chemicals in Consumer goods, regulation, policies and practise. Together with a group of progressive multinationals producing consumer goods, Chemsec discussed current issues around the implementation of REACH and its implications for producers of consumer goods, and ways forward, to go beyond minimum compliance of the regulation.
7 May
Efforts to improve chemicals management in the EECCA region
As a result of a joint Chemsec-supported project by the NGOs FRI, Mama-86 and EcoAccord, a database has been set up on environmentally sound and economically feasible non-combustion technologies for waste destruction. Included are POPs in waste and examples of good practice. The database is currently in Russian and provides interested actors with different technologies, relevant for East Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) region. The database can be found at www.noburntech.info
7 May
Investors driven substitution? Comparison North America and EU regulations – interesting reports
Loss of market share or access to markets due to companies’ chemical policies can become an issue for value investors. For more information please read the interesting report from Innovest (pdf, 200kB).
For you who are interesting in comparing the US, Canadian and EU policies on regulation of industrial chemicals we recommend the new report from Environmental Defense (pdf, 1,5MB).
1 January
REACH to enter into force on 1 June 2007
After approval in the European Parliament on 13 December and the Council of Minister on 18 December 2006, the two legislative bodies of the European Union, the new EU Chemicals policy REACH will enter into force on 1 June 2007. The regulation was published in the EU official journal on 30 December 2006 and will be directly applied in the 27 EU member states, replacing some 40 existing EU directives and regulations on chemicals.