Throughout the CSS process, we have advocated for proportionate solutions to achieve the European Commission’s objectives, while protecting industry’s ability to innovate and remain competitive. We have provided concrete proposals to the Commission in our responses to the public consultations on REACH and CLP. Just last week, we have published additional proposals specifically linked to the reform of REACH Authorisation and Restriction. Regarding CLP, we have consistently supported addressing new hazard classes first under the United Nationals Globally Harmonized System (UN GHS), to promote an international level playing field and prevent barriers to trade. We understand the Commission is nevertheless pressing ahead with new hazard classes under CLP, before waiting for discussions to take place at UN GHS. We will be providing input and suggestions for improvement on the new hazard classes through the Commission’s request for feedback.
Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability: a targeted implementation continues to be the priority
The future direction of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) has been publicly debated over the last few days, including the question of a potential delay or moratorium on the revision of REACH. While the economic and geopolitical conditions in Europe have certainly worsened this year, the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) continues to support targeted improvements to existing chemicals legislation, grounded in science and better regulation principles.
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Industry calls for repeal of the SCIP database
AmCham EU has joined over 30 industry associations in calling on EU co-legislators to confirm the repeal of the Substances of Concern In articles as such or in complex objects (Products) (SCIP) database, as proposed in the Environmental Omnibus. SCIP costs companies around €225 million a year, yet its intended users, recyclers, barely use it. The Commission itself acknowledges that waste operators find the data unusable and most companies lack the resources to maintain millions of notifications. Repeal would remove a disproportionate reporting layer while keeping obligations for suppliers to inform customers about substances of very high concern. Any future approach should build on existing obligations, not add new ones.
Simpler chemicals rules, same level of protection
Europe has an opportunity to make its chemicals rules simpler without weakening the protection they provide. The Commission plans to simplify the Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) through secondary legislation. Rules that are proportionate, clearly scoped and grounded in evidence are easier to follow and easier to enforce. They also give companies the certainty they need to invest and keep producing in Europe. Read our recommendations for a REACH that is simpler to apply and better for competitiveness.
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From fryer to fuel
After frying frites, bitterballen, churros or arancini, many people don’t think twice about disposing of used cooking oil. Yet one litre of waste oil can contaminate one million litres of water, according to the European Commission. At Cargill’s facility in the port of Ghent, Belgium, used cooking oil and other residual oils and fats are treated as raw materials, cleaned and converted into biodiesel for trucks and ships. This puts circularity into practice on an industrial scale at one of Europe’s largest facilities of its kind. Since production began, Ghent’s biodiesel is estimated to have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 1,188,000 tonnes compared with fossil diesel, equivalent to taking about 550,000 cars off the road for a year. Read the full story on Invested in Europe.
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