The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament strongly condemn the European Commission’s proposal on the Chemicals Package, presented today. Under the guise of “simplification”, the proposal rolls back vital health and environmental protections across several key areas of EU chemicals legislation. 

Instead of building on the EU’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the Commission has caved in to short-term industrial interests. The proposal makes it easier to use carcinogens in everyday cosmetics, weakens hazard labelling requirements for products sold to the public, and reduces safety controls on substances used in fertilisers. Taken together, these measures represent a serious step backwards in chemical safety.  

Christophe Clergeau, S&D vice-president for Green Deal for a Healthy Planet, Healthy People and Sustainable Food Ecosystem, said:

“The Commission’s current approach to simplifying chemicals legislation is deeply concerning. These proposed measures are likely to increase exposure to hazardous chemicals for both people and the environment. Instead of continuing to permit the use of carcinogenic and other toxic substances, the Commission should focus on incentivising and rewarding companies that invest in a non-toxic, sustainable economy.

 “What is the value of a competitive economy if it comes at the cost of rising rates of chronic diseases? Non-communicable diseases already account for up to 80% of healthcare spending in the EU – a clearly unsustainable burden. I am convinced that simplification of legislation is possible without compromising the protection of human health and the environment. This proposal sends entirely the wrong message: that the health of Europeans is less important than short-term cost savings for the chemical industry.”