Circular Economy

Since December 2015 – and the publication of the European Commission’s long awaited Circular Economy Package – much time and resources have been spent on finding out how new regulations could support a smooth transition to a circular economic model. In...

The EU Green Deal

Climate change and deterioration of the environment are critical threats for Europe and the world. To overcome these threats, in December 2019 the European Commission put forward the European Green Deal.  The deal is an ambitious package of measures ranging from...

Generic Risk Assessment

In the EU chemicals acquis, traditionally there have been two main approaches to risk management; one based on Specific Risk Assessment (SRA) and the other based Generic Risk Approach (GRA). Both risk assessment methods aim to ensure a high level of protection to...

Essential Uses

The Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability proposes the development of a horizontal essential use concept to apply across chemicals legislation. The Chemicals Strategy commits to “define criteria for essential uses to ensure that the most harmful chemicals are only...

Polymers Registrations

Polymers are currently exempted from registration under REACH. However, Article 138(2) foresees a possible further review to extend the registration requirements to polymers. If the risk posed by certain polymers can be proven, and practical and cost-efficient ways of...

Mixture Assessment Factor

The Commission has a well-established process in place to assess the potential risks that substances could pose to the environment and to people under the REACH regulation. Substances – on their own and as used in mixtures – are covered via the chemical...