Community news|30/04/24

Limiting the most harmful chemicals to “essential uses”

Home > The news of EUROGIP and occupational risks in Europe > Limiting the most harmful chemicals to “essential uses”

What are the principles and criteria for the use of chemical substances, even the most harmful ones? In a Communication dated 22 April, the European Commission defined the concept of “essential uses”.

This makes it possible to determine when it is justified, from a societal point of view, to use the most harmful substances, at least for a certain period of time. The overall objective is “to improve the efficiency and predictability of regulation for authorities, investors and industry, in order to accelerate the phase-out of the most harmful substances in non-essential uses, while leaving more time for the phase-out of uses essential for society. It will also help industry to guide and prioritise investment in innovative and sustainable chemicals”.

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