Source: European Parliament
The Commission fully supports the need for a high level of protection of the environment and human health. Gender equality and vulnerable groups receive particular attention during scientific assessments.
Regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH)[1] ensures a high level of protection from chemical substances.
If a substance poses a risk to consumers, such as in menstrual products, a restriction dossier that considers this risk is prepared. For instance, an existing restriction under REACH bans the use of certain hazardous substances (e.g. dioctyltin compounds), in female hygiene products.
As regards per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a restriction dossier is currently under assessment by the European Chemicals Agency[2].
The Scientific Committees of the Agency must finalise their opinions before the Commission can decide on restricting PFAS. The Commission aims to tackle PFAS pollution and protect citizens’ health, and the Commission is in favour of banning PFAS in consumer articles.
Moreover, i n 2023, criteria to identify endocrine disruptors (EDs) were added to the regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures[3].
Therefore, industry shall classify substances as EDs, where needed. Furthermore, PFAS and EDs are restricted under the EU Ecolabel criteria for products like absorbent hygiene products and reusable menstrual cups[4].
Several Horizon 2020[5] and Horizon Europe[6] projects are addressing PFAS pollution through monitoring, detection, and remediation.
Complementing these efforts, the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals[7] funded by Horizon Europe will launch a pilot project focused on monitoring PFAS and EDs.
- [1] Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), establishing a European Chemicals Agency, amending Directive 1999/45/EC and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 and Commission Regulation (EC) No 1488/94 as well as Council Directive 76/769/EEC and Commission Directives 91/155/EEC, 93/67/EEC, 93/105/EC and 2000/21/EC, OJ L 396, 30.12.2006.
- [2] See https://echa.europa.eu/registry-of-restriction-intentions/-/dislist/details/0b0236e18663449b.
- [3] Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, OJ L 353, 31.12.2008.
- [4] Commission Decision (EU) 2023/1809 of 14 September 2023 establishing the EU Ecolabel criteria for absorbent hygiene products and for reusable menstrual cups, OJ L 234, 22.99.2023.
- [5] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-2020_en.
- [6] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en.
- [7] https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101057014.