Document 1281m0EYZBxkJ4L80XaMzKao

-- `=| \ L EBUboRrmOoPonEneAnNSCAOMLMISSION EE a =r. Beruvssealsl I ve rr.anes . Dear[I "Thankyouforyouremailof 12April2023andthepositionpaperon Contemporarylegal andpoliticalimplicationsof PFAS pollution. Executive Vice-PresidentTimmermanshas askedme 0 replyonhisbebalf "Thispaperi verytimely,considering themanyon-goingregulatoryactivitiesonPFAS. It hasbeensharedwithall relevantcolleagues. Consideringthelarge numberofcasesofcontaminationofsoilandwater,including drinkingwater, the Commissionproposed a comprehensivesetofactionsintheChemicals StrategyforSustainability toensurethattheuseofPFASisphasedoutintheEU,unless provenessenfotsoiciaetly. `ConcemingtheEUregulatoryframework on PFAS,wetooknote ofyouranalysis of the Rceugrumleanttsitoantu(sP,SFOoSm.esPuFbO-AgraonudpssooofnPFPAFSHXaSr)eionrdeReEdaAlCreHaRdeygruelgautliatoend(uCn9d-eCr1t4hPeFEUCAPaOnPdS Soon PFHSA). AREACH restrictiononall PFAS infire-fightingfoamsiscurentlybeing assessed in `EuropeanChemicalsAgency(ECHA)ScientificCommitteesandtheCommission expects taomreencdeiinvgeaAnnonpeinxiXoVnIinIothfeRuEpcAoCmHifnogrmtohnitshspse.cAitftihcuatspeo,irnets,potnhesiCbolmemfiosrtshieocnownitlalmcionnastiidoenr of many sites. SEES meaner mn I Gecorse rIenstaridcdtitailolnP,EfAiSve icnouanltrtiheeostrheecreunstleys.sTuhbimsirtteesdtarirecsttwriiiocltnliofnoldlooswstiherestaomEeCpHrA.ocaeimdiaunngrdte,o attheendoftheprocess. arestrictionon thewholechemicalclassofPFASisforeseen, withderogationsforuses stillnecessaryforhealth,safetyor critfiocrtahle functionionfg societyandforwhichthereare currentlynoaltematives. `Concemingyourproposalsonhowthe Environmental Liability Directive (ELD) couldbe: appliedincasesofcontamination withPFAS,wewouldliketoclarifyasfollows. You criticise the ELD for the lack of a mechanism allowing citizens' suis against responsible party. This is not correct. The ELD enshrines a participatory mechanism allowing interested partes (both individuals and organisations) to request action with regardto environmentaldamageand to seek a judicialreviewofth relevantdecisionsof the competentauthorities(seeArticles 12 and 13oftheDirective). `However,the liabilitysetoutintheELDonlycoversdamagetothe environment.This `meansthattheresponsewhichcanberequestedunderthe ELD is aremediationor preventionofinuminent threatoftheenvironmentaldamageandnotthecompensationfor scitvaitleddaimnagAer.tiTclhee 3D(i3r)e,ctwivheicdhoepsrnoovtidceosvetrhadtam`aWgitehtooutheaplrtehjuadnicdeprtooperretlye,vaanstexnpaltiicointally legislation. this Directive shall not give private parties a right of compensation as a consequenceofenvironmental damageorofan imminent threatofsuch damage". `Youareright instatingthatatthetimethe ELDwasadopted,itwasconsideredthatthe EdaUmawgea.s nHootwerveeard,ytfhoer icnotmromdounctirounleosfosnucchivrilulleiasbhialistybereesnulrteicnegnftrlyopmrtohpeoseenvdairsopnmaernttoafl revisions of sectorial environmental legislation. notably in the Industrial Emissions Directive! andintheambientairquality Directives. Inthiscontext, itcan be questioned whetherthelackof ahorizonctivaillliabilityregimeinthe ELDremains relevant. This issue will be analysed in the ongoing evaluationofthe ELD. Yours sincerely. (e-signed) |B fr| Dirceacmtiisvieon20(1t0/e7gSr/aEtUedopfotlhleutEiuornoppreeavnenPtairolniaamnentcoanntdoolf)t(hIeEDC)o,usneceilCoofmm24isNsoivoenmpbroepre2sa0l10foona irnedvuisstiroina:l `Proposal revisionindustria eisions ditstive. see Comision proposal or arevision oftheEUambientai qualitylegislation 3 (OHFWURQLFDOO\ VLJQHG RQ 87& LQ DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK $UWLFOH RI &RPPLVVLRQ 'HFLVLRQ (8