EU Agencies Collaborate to Assess Chemical Safety and Sustainability

In a report published on 17 April 2024, the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) have presented their joint assessment of chemical pollution across Europe. The report (EU indicator framework for chemicals) shows a mixed picture: while progress has been made in some areas, there is still much to be done to ensure the safety and sustainability of chemicals.

In the face of increased scrutiny, authorities have stepped up their evaluation of industrial chemicals under EU legislation. This increased oversight has led to a better understanding of the hazardous properties of various substances, and to proactive measures to mitigate risks.

Despite these efforts, the use of the most harmful chemicals, particularly those with carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic properties, continues to grow, albeit at a slower rate than the overall chemicals market. Pressure is mounting to phase out substances of very high concern and to adopt the principles of the Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) framework.

Urgent Calls for Stronger Safety Measures

The report highlights the need to protect consumers from hazardous substances, including endocrine disrupters and persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals. However, gaps remain in the data and information needed to fully understand human and environmental exposure to these harmful compounds.

Leena Ylä-Mononen, Executive Director of the European Environment Agency, said: “While chemicals have a positive role to play in our lives, further action is urgently needed to address the risks posed by the use of unsafe and unsustainable substances. The knowledge generated in this assessment will help us shift to safe and sustainable chemicals in the future.”

Sharon McGuinness, Executive Director of the European Chemicals Agency, added: “We need to accelerate the transition towards safe and sustainable chemicals. Actions by authorities and industry has helped to minimise and control the risks from hazardous chemicals. But we need to further increase our knowledge on chemicals and support risk management of groups of chemicals to protect people and the environment.”

Key Findings and Way Forward

The key findings of the assessment show both progress and continuing challenges. While action has been taken to minimise risks from hazardous chemicals, there is little evidence of progress in eliminating substances of concern from waste and secondary materials.

Efforts to reduce emissions of harmful chemicals to water and air have had some success, but further action is needed to ensure that concentrations do not pose a threat to human health or the environment.

Human biomonitoring is emerging as an important tool for understanding chemical exposures and assessing associated health risks, underscoring the importance of continued vigilance in chemicals management.

Indicator Framework for Chemicals

The EU's Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) aims to address the challenges posed by the production and use chemicals through innovation, strengthened regulations, and knowledge-building initiatives. The EEA, ECHA and the European Commission have developed a set of key indicators presented in this report, to support the objectives of the strategy.

Chemicals Indicator Dashboard

Together with the report, the EEA has launched a tool developed with ECHA, the European Commission and several other European agencies: the Chemicals Indicator Dashboard.

The Chemicals Indicator Dashboard consists of 25 quantitative indicators that provide insights into the drivers and impacts of chemical pollution in the EU. These indicators are supported by 22 signals, which provide additional insights, including qualitative and/or quantitative data, and may highlight emerging trends or phenomena that merit further investigation, even if data coverage is incomplete.

Together, the indicators and signals provide a robust framework to help decision-makers make informed choices and drive policy towards the goal of a toxic-free environment, ensuring the safety and well-being of both people and ecosystems.

The full text of the report is available here and more information on the indicator dashboard can be found here.