Document 4a0ENJkd4RrgNm52d8K37oKVp

To: From: BEE ovncin EEE avn ci.nl] restrictiePFAS Sent: Subject: Tue 1/12/2021 4:31:51 PM Invitation for an online workshop: What are essential uses of persistent chemicals? Received: Tue 1/12/2021 4:31:52 PM 2966115 IIE peor RIVM, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, invites you to participate in a so called `thinking session' about criteria for essential use of persistent chemicals. We hope that you will lend your expertise and insight, to help us think about this complex issue. Background Persistent chemicals are a large and diverse group of chemicals. They are widely used and can accumulate and remain in the environment over very long periods. One sub-group are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Please find attached a brief factsheet with information about persistent chemicals. In the European Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) the essential use concept is introduced as a risk management approach for chemicals of concern to "ensure that consumers, vulnerable groups and the natural environment are more consistently protected, while still allowing for the use of these most harmful chemicals where proven essential for society." To limit the risks associated with the use of persistent chemicals, the RIVM is working on a proposal for criteria to define essential uses of these substances. Currently, there are no clearly defined criteria that specify what is or could be an essential use. The criteria mentioned in the European Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (necessary for health, safety, or being critical for the functioning of society) seem preliminary and need further clarification and extension by other criteria that society would consider relevant for classifying a use of a chemical `essential'. Aim The aim of the thinking session is to identify what experts consider relevant criteria for essential use of persistent chemicals, and how these criteria can be measured. Therefore, the central question addressed in the thinking session is: Which criteria do stakeholders find important when identifying essential use of persistent chemicals, and how can fulfilment of these criteria be measured? You are invited to participate in this session as an expert to bring in your expertise and insight. For attending this meeting no extra preparation time is required. We have invited experts with different backgrounds (e.g. toxicology, psychology, economics, ethics, law), and from different organizations (e.g. academia, industry or sector organizations, policy, NGOs, consumer/user organizations, consultancies). What are we going to do in the thinking session? In a thinking session, a group of about 15 participants with different backgrounds will reflect in a structured way about the question shown above. The sessions are chaired and structured by two experienced moderators of De Argumentenfabriek (The Argumentation Factory; https://www.argumentenfabriek.nl/en), an independent company located in Amsterdam. De Argumentenfabriek developed a method to facilitate group thinking in an efficient and structured way. A session will take three hours, including a break. The thinking session will be held online in Microsoft Teams and will result in an `Information Map', a visualization of criteria and arguments. In total 3 sessions will be organized, and we cordially invite you to participate in one of these. The scheduled dates of the sessions is as follows: Thinking sessions (indicate preferred date) * Monday 15 February, 13:30 -- 16:30 CET * Thursday 18 February, 9:30 -- 12:30 CET * Monday 22 February, 9:30 -- 12:30 CET Please let us know by filling in this form as soon as possible, but before 25 January 2021 whether you will participate in one of the sessions, and what date you would prefer. In case more than one date would be possible please indicate a rank order of dates. Given the relevance and the timelines of the discussion on the concept of `essential use', your contribution is very much appreciated. Should you not be able to attend, we would kindly ask you to suggest a colleague with an equivalent background who may be willing to attend. If we don't have your reaction before 25 January 2021 we will contact you again. For further questions feel free to contact o ivm.n). SENET Kind regards, EEE in) o EEN 5.1.2e RIVM Co oerivm.nl 2966111155