The first joint Europe-wide assessment of the drivers and impact of chemical pollution by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has concluded that, despite progress in some areas, “more work is still needed to reduce the impact of harmful substances on human health and the environment”. Key findings include:

* The transition towards safer and more sustainable chemicals is progressing in some areas but just getting started in others

* Action by authorities and industry has supported minimising and controlling the risks from several groups of hazardous chemicals. Efforts are ongoing to increase knowledge on chemical hazards and support risk management action where needed

* There has been little evidence of progress towards eliminating substances of concern from waste and secondary materials. This is a barrier to the transition towards a more circular economy

* Emissions of certain chemicals to water and air have fallen following specific EU regulations and international actions, but further measures are needed to reach concentration levels that are not harmful for human health and the environment. Emissions from industry still lead to major damage to both

* Human biomonitoring offers the opportunity to understand exposure to chemicals from multiple sources and thus health risks associated with chemical pollution. As such, it forms a key tool to measure the effectiveness of chemicals legislation

The report established that the use of the most harmful chemicals (in carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) chemicals) is still growing albeit slower than the overall market. More needs to be done to avoid the use of substances of concern and to implement the principles of the safe and sustainable by design (SSbD) framework. The shift in that direction must be accelerated.

Reference:

https://www.specchemonline.com/more-work-needed-safety-sustainability

More News
Exim rebrands as ExSyn: We celebrate our 30-year heritage with a new brand and website that bring alive our values and purpose
News · 27/03/2021

Today we announce that Exim is rebranding as ExSyn. We are presenting a new brand identity and website as a reflection of our relentless transformation over the course of 30 years serving the pharma and chemical industries. The new brand builds upon our core strengths as a sourcing company and captures our most essential duty: helping improve people’s health and lives.

In Focus : Nicotine
Products in focus · 09/07/2024

Nicotine is a hygroscopic, colorless to slight yellow, oily liquid, that is readily soluble in alcohol, ether or light petroleum. It is widely used recreationally as a stimulant and anxiolytic.

In Focus : (E)-2-Ethylidene,1,2,3,4,4a,5,8,8a-octahydro-1-4:5,8-dimethanonaphthalene
Products in focus · 02/07/2024

The product, acronymed ETD, is an organic compound with a fused bicyclic ring system and an ethylidene group. The structure renders the chemical special properties leading to its applications in diverse fields.

It’s all happening again: The supply chain is under strain…
News · 02/07/2024

The floating traffic jams off ports. The multiplying costs of moving freight. The resulting shortages of goods. All of this had seemed like an unpleasant memory confined to the COVID-19 pandemic. But no such luck!