Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS)
Chemicals are key components of materials used in wind turbines, solar panels, electric batteries and building insulation in addition to playing a vital role in everyday needs of society, from medicines to clothes. The COVID19 pandemic has also shown a key role our industry plays in producing essential supplies during this unprecedented public health crisis. Chemical processes and products are present in every imaginable industrial ecosystem in Europe today, which makes us an important player in the post-COVID19 economic recovery.
“This is why we see this strategy as an opportunity for European and member state authorities dealing with climate, circular economy, innovation, trade, enforcement and digital policies to work more closely with the chemical industry to deliver on the European Green Deal objectives, accelerate the post-COVID19 Green Recovery and strengthen EU’s strategic value chains”
Sylvie Lemoine, Cefic’s Executive Director Product Stewardship
This holistic strategic approach would also help maintain a high level of protection for people and environment and support the industry’s investments into developing safer and more sustainable substances on European soil.
“We believe the Strategy should be based on three key pillars – enforcement, implementation and innovation, to help make the EU’s Green Deal vision a reality”
Sylvie Lemoine, Cefic’s Executive Director Product Stewardship
It should be based on further improving the implementation of REACH, which is already the most sophisticated regulatory framework on chemicals in the world providing one of the highest level of protection in the world. A more effective implementation of REACH will bring more consistency in application of already more than 40 pieces of legislation, governing production and use of chemicals.
Moving towards the principle of ‘one substance-one assessment’ for substances should result in greater predictability for industry and improve people’s trust in regulatory opinions issued by various EU agencies.
Developing a new EU ‘Safe-and-Sustainable-by-Design’ standard and increasing funding for new predictive toxicology tools would accelerate development of innovative and safer alternatives to hazardous substances. Finally, stricter enforcement of all EU chemical and environmental laws for imports would ensure no chemicals enter Europe that do not comply with its rules.
Download Cefic’s submission to the European Commission’s Roadmap for an EU Chemicals strategy for sustainability.
Supporting Documents
Cefic Supports Green Deal and Climate Neutrality
The Green Deal recognises that energy-intensive industries, such as chemicals, are indispensable for Europe’s transition, as solution providers to multiple value chains. Climate neutrality by 2050 means going through a deep transformation within just one or two investment cycles. The EU chemical industry intends to grasp the opportunities arising from the transition to a climate…
Chemical Strategy for Sustainability | Cefic position
Cefic supports the public health and environmental goals of the strategy and shares the vision outlined by the European Commission in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.
Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) Joint letter (reply) from Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans and Commissioner Sinkevičius, confirming that there would be no ‘regulatory overhaul’ and only a very ‘targeted revision’, as the strategy itself says
Chemical Strategy for Sustainability | Cefic’s response to the Roadmap on the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS)
Cefic calls for a Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) that recognises the essential role of chemicals to deliver climate ambitions, ensures a high level of safety and integrates holistically the multiple dimensions of the Green Deal – climate neutrality, materials circularity and resource efficiency – while boosting competitiveness and innovation to serve Europe’s strategic interests….
Chemical Strategy for Sustainability | Input Paper on the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS)
This paper outlines the preliminary views and proposals of the European chemical industry, as represented by Cefic, on the future Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability proposed by the European Commission under the EU Green Deal. Its content may evolve at the light of future developments. It is organised in two part: 1. an overview outlining the…
Chemical Strategy for Sustainability | The Chemical industry and its contribution to the strategic industrial ecosystems for the Recovery (CSS)
“It is impossible to build a better future for Europe without a successful European chemical industry” We serve society with products that people value and that support people’s natural desires for better lives, a healthy planet, peace and prosperity. We are a €650 billion industry that produces everything from soaps to solvents and sealants and…
Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) | Discussion paper: Strategic chemicals
This paper was developed in the context of a stakeholder dialogue that followed our submission to the EU Commission’s Roadmap consultation on the future Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. It is meant to trigger an exchange of policy ideas or suggestions to inform the dialogue but does not constitute the agreed position of Cefic or its Members.
Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) | Discussion paper: Safe and Sustainable by design
This paper was developed in the context of a stakeholder dialogue that followed our submission to the EU Commission’s Roadmap consultation on the future Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. It is meant to trigger an exchange of policy ideas or suggestions to inform the dialogue but does not constitute the agreed position of Cefic or its Members.
Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) | Discussion paper: Simplification chemicals legislation
This paper was developed in the context of a stakeholder dialogue that followed our submission to the EU Commission’s Roadmap consultation on the future Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. It is meant to trigger an exchange of policy ideas or suggestions to inform the dialogue but does not constitute the agreed position of Cefic or its Members.
Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) | Discussion paper: Strategic chemicals
This paper was developed in the context of a stakeholder dialogue that followed our submission to the EU Commission’s Roadmap consultation on the future Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. It is meant to trigger an exchange of policy ideas or suggestions to inform the dialogue but does not constitute the agreed position of Cefic or its Members.
Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) | Discussion paper: Supporting Global chemicals management
This paper was developed in the context of a stakeholder dialogue that followed our submission to the EU Commission’s Roadmap consultation on the future Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. It is meant to trigger an exchange of policy ideas or suggestions to inform the dialogue but does not constitute the agreed position of Cefic or its Members.
Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) | Discussion paper: Endocrine Disruptors
This paper was developed in the context of a stakeholder dialogue that followed our submission to the EU Commission’s Roadmap consultation on the future Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. It is meant to trigger an exchange of policy ideas or suggestions to inform the dialogue but does not constitute the agreed position of Cefic or its Members.
Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) | Discussion paper: Combined exposure and way forward
This paper was developed in the context of a stakeholder dialogue that followed our submission to the EU Commission’s Roadmap consultation on the future Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. It is meant to trigger an exchange of policy ideas or suggestions to inform the dialogue but does not constitute the agreed position of Cefic or its Members.
Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) | Discussion paper: Track and trace of Declarable substances for recycling June 2020
This paper was developed in the context of a stakeholder dialogue that followed our submission to the EU Commission’s Roadmap consultation on the future Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. It is meant to trigger an exchange of policy ideas or suggestions to inform the dialogue but does not constitute the agreed position of Cefic or its Members.
Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) | Discussion paper: a level-playing field for the EU chemical industry
This paper was developed in the context of a stakeholder dialogue that followed our submission to the EU Commission’s Roadmap consultation on the future Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. It is meant to trigger an exchange of policy ideas or suggestions to inform the dialogue but does not constitute the agreed position of Cefic or its Members.
Chemical Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) | Discussion paper: Enforcement and enforceability
This paper was developed in the context of a stakeholder dialogue that followed our submission to the EU Commission’s Roadmap consultation on the future Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. It is meant to trigger an exchange of policy ideas or suggestions to inform the dialogue but does not constitute the agreed position of Cefic or its Members.