The EU’s REACH regulation, designed to manage chemical substances and protect public health, faces criticism for slow processes and heavy industry reliance, spurring calls for reform.
Johanna Berneron writes for The Conversation.
In short:
- REACH, the EU’s chemical regulation framework, requires companies to register and prove safe use of substances but faces criticism for high compliance costs and complex procedures.
- Despite delays, REACH has led to significant actions like banning bisphenol A (BPA) in certain products, citing its reprotoxic and endocrine-disrupting properties.
- Calls to reform REACH center on improving efficiency and ensuring chemical safety, aligning with the European Green Deal’s toxic-free environment goals.
Key quote:
“REACH remains an ambitious and indispensable regulation that protects human health and the environment from the hazards posed by chemical substances.”
— Johanna Berneron, Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail
Why this matters:
REACH is a global standard in chemical safety, influencing policy worldwide. However, its dependence on industry-provided data and complex processes slow innovation and risk reduction. Addressing these challenges could strengthen protections against harmful chemicals across Europe.
Read more: Arthur Neslen: EU retreats from environmental commitments amid far-right pressure
