EU chemicals strategy for a more sustainable and toxic-free environment
Infographic - EU chemicals strategy for a more sustainable and toxic-free environment
Chemicals are essential to modern living standards and the economy. Yet, chemical substances can be harmful to people and the environment.
The EU and its member states are working on a new strategy on chemicals to:
- better protect human health
- support a toxic-free environment
Why are chemicals important and what are the risks?
Chemical substances are fundamental for many daily activities.
They play a vital role in:
- providing food
- ensuring well-being
- protecting health
They are found in:
- electronics
- cosmetics
- furniture
- textiles
- toys
- and many other everyday products.
However, chemicals with hazardous properties can have detrimental effects on human health. Studies in the EU point to a growing number of different hazardous chemicals found in human bodies. These chemicals can cause:
- cancer
- disruptions to body systems
- weakened resilience to vaccines
- increased vulnerability to diseases
Europe's chemicals industry
Chemicals play an important role for the EU's economy and competitiveness.
Chemical manufacturing is 4th largest industry in the EU with 30,000 companies and directly employing 1.2 million people . 95% of the businesses are SMEs.
In 2018, Europe was the second biggest producer of chemicals, accounting for 16.9% of global sales.
The new EU chemicals strategy for sustainability
With the new EU chemicals strategy, the EU and its member states want to:
- Support innovation to design safer products
- Ban toxic chemicals unless they are essential or no alternatives exist, while ensuring protection for people
- Limit exposure to chemicals that harm hormonal systems and to toxic combination effects of chemicals
- Improve laws and simplify procedures to assess the risk of chemicals
- Set the example for a toxic-free planet
Two new principles are introduced with the strategy:
- preventing toxic chemicals from being included in products at the design stage, rather than controlling them once they are on the market
- allowing the use of the most harmful chemicals, only if they are necessary for health, safety or are critical for the functioning of society
Why is this important?
The EU and its member states will implement the chemicals strategy in the coming years with the objectives of:
- fostering sustainability in the chemicals sector for a toxic-free Europe in line with the EU Green Deal ambitions
- boosting innovation and increasing competitiveness of the chemicals industry
Last review: 31 January 2025