The European Commission implemented its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. The strategy aims to better safeguard citizens and the environment from dangerous chemicals and encourage innovation by supporting the use of safer and more sustainable chemicals. It is a component of the EU's zero pollution objective, which is a core pledge of the European Green Deal.

Chemicals serve as the foundation for the things we use and the high-tech materials required for a circular and climate-neutral economy. Chemical manufacturing is an energy and CO2-intensive industry. The Green Deal needs the "correct" chemistry since switching to substances and manufacturing techniques that use less energy will reduce emissions.

The Commission's strategy includes a plan of action to:

● Ban the most dangerous chemicals from consumer items, allowing them to be used only where necessary

● When analyzing chemical dangers, consider the cocktail impact of chemicals

● Unless necessary, per and poly-fluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS) should be phased out in the EU

● Increase investment and innovative capability in the manufacturing and use of chemicals that are designed to be safe and sustainable throughout their lives

● Encourage the supply and sustainability of key chemicals in the EU

● Create a simpler "one substance, one assessment" process for assessing chemical risks and hazards

● Take a global leadership position in championing and promoting high chemical safety standards, and refrain from exporting substances banned in the EU

Reference: https://echa.europa.eu/hot-topics/chemicals-strategy-for-sustainability