Adam Struzik, President of the Mazovia Region has been appointed as Rapporteur on the chemicals strategy for sustainability, an important step towards increased protection of human health and the environment as well as to fulfil the zero pollution ambition.
Almost two decades have passed since the first strategic approach to chemicals management in the EU was established. The European Commission presented a new EU chemicals strategy for sustainability on 14 October 2020 as a first step towards a zero level of pollution for a toxin-free environment. Its action plan includes various legal and non-legal measures to be put in place in the coming years (2020‑2024). Through the strategy, the Commission aims to set out a long-term vision for EU chemicals policy, in line with the European Green Deal. The goal of the strategy is twofold: to better protect people's health and the environment and to support innovation in safe and sustainable chemicals, thus boosting the economy and increasing competitiveness on the global market.
From the point of view of local and regional authorities, activities that may be of interest and that require multilateral dialogue and governance include:
- Promoting interregional collaboration along sustainable chemicals value chains, through smart specialisation, to accelerate the development of joint investment projects;
- Upskilling workers for the digital and green transition;
- Introducing or reinforcing provisions to take account of the combination effects of chemicals in water, food contact materials, food additives, toys, detergents and cosmetics;
- A fund for EU-wide human and environmental (bio)monitoring;
- Development and deployment of infrastructure allowing the use, transport and storage of electricity from renewable/carbon-neutral energy sources for the production of chemicals;
- Investments in sustainable innovationsthat can decontaminate waste streams, increase safe recycling and reduce the export of waste, in particular plastics and textiles.