Ensuring that dangerous chemicals banned in Europe are not produced here for export is one of the EU’s aims in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS), part of the Green Deal. The Commission has just opened a consultation to guide the final adjustments of its draft, which could also concern cosmetics regulation.
The European chemicals regulation is one of the most successful and protective in the world, both for consumers and for the environment.
However, the situation is far from identical in many third countries, and it is not uncommon for chemicals that have been found to be dangerous and banned for use in consumer products in Europe to be manufactured for export.
It is in the interests of ethics, and to better respect human rights and the environment, that the European Union has decided to implement this ban.
This consultation, which is open via an online questionnaire, aims to refine various aspects of the ban, including the legislative route chosen to implement it.
Indeed, if the PIC Regulation (Prior Informed Consent) is concerned in the first place, the Commission does not exclude legislating via sectoral regulations, including the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009.
The public consultation is open until 31 July 2023.
The Commission plans to adopt the final text by the end of 2023.
Sources
• Hazardous chemicals - prohibiting production for export of chemicals banned in the European Union, Have your say, Published initiatives, European Commission, 8 May 2023
• Hazardous chemicals - prohibiting production for export of chemicals banned …