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Chemical risk management - What is the role of the Essential Use Concept under REACH authorisation and restriction?

04-07-2023

Chemical risk management - What is the role of the Essential Use Concept under REACH authorisation and restriction?

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In October 2020, the European Commission adopted its Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS). The CSS is part of the EU’s zero pollution ambition – a key commitment of the European Green Deal. The EU’s chemicals strategy aims to better protect citizens and the environment, and boost innovation for safe and sustainable chemicals.

The significance of this strategy is underscored by the fact that 84% of Europeans are worried about the impact of chemicals present in everyday products on their health, and 90% are worried about their impact on the environment. Compounding these concerns, global chemical production is expected to double by 2030, increasing the already widespread usage of chemicals, including in consumer products.

To work towards the objectives of the EU's chemicals strategy, a reform of REACH was also announced. With respect to risk management, the Commission proposed to ban the most harmful chemicals - namely chemical substances meeting specific hazards criteria - in consumer products, allowing those chemicals only where their use is considered essential. This is referred to as the Essential Use Concept (EUC).

Join this EURACTIV Virtual Conference to discuss the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) and the definition and application of the Essential Use Concept (EUC). Has the CSS been successful in its ambitions so far, particularly concerning the European Green Deal? What impact could the EUC have on innovation, better regulation and wider policy goals?

Supported by:

Location

Online

Panellists

Otto Linher
Senior Expert, REACH Unit, DG GROW, European Commission

Tatiana Santos
Head, Chemicals Policy, European Environmental Bureau (EEB)

Marko Susnik
Advisor to the Secretary General on Chemicals Policy, SMEunited & Senior Advisor Chemical Policy, Austrian Economic Chamber (WKÖ)

Martina Bianchini
President, International Fragrance Association

Moderator

Brian Maguire
EURACTIV

Schedule

09:30 – 09:35 Welcome
09:35 – 09:50 Panellist statements
09:50 – 10:40 Discussion and Q&A
10:40 – 10:45 Closing statements

Contact

Síofra Gilmore
siofra.gilmore@EURACTIV.com
+32 222 65 823

Related article

What is essential? The question overshadowing Europe’s chemical law reform

What is essential? The question overshadowing Europe’s chemical law reform

The European Union is gearing up to revise its chemicals legislation to ban harmful substances and drive sustainability in the industry amid debates over the concept of “essential use”, which should help identify irreplaceable functions for such substances.