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: Lycopene
Products in focus · 15/07/2025

Fungal Lycopene is an acyclic carotene belonging to a large group of naturally-occurring pigments known as carotenoids. It contains at least 90% of all-trans-lycopene and minor quantities of 13-cis-lycopene and β- and γ-carotene. It is used as an intermediate in the biosynthetic pathway of β-carotene. Its role in the pharmaceutical and food industries stems from its demonstrated health benefits—such as anticancer and cardiovascular protection—alongside its widespread use as a natural food colorant.

In focus: Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) High Purity
Products in focus · 08/07/2025

Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) is a high-purity chemical compound, typically exceeding 99.8% purity, widely valued for its use as a solvent and as an additive in fuels. It finds applications in pharmaceutical manufacturing, agrochemical and polymer production, as well as a solvent in extraction and recrystallization processes.

In focus: Berberine Hydrochloride
Products in focus · 01/07/2025

Berberine Hydrochloride is a yellow isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from various plants such as Berberis aristata, Coptis chinensis (Chinese goldthread), and Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal). Berberine offered by ExSyn is from Berberis aristata. It is most commonly used in its hydrochloride salt form due to its better solubility and bioavailability. It is widely known for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulatory properties, and has gained popularity in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.