Document KR8XMK5o1QyRm05DZ9793B2dN

Cabinet of Executive Vice-President FransRefT. AimRreesfm(.2A0re2e2sr)7(m21062a428n)78s848- 61272/160-/20072/122/2022 Meeting with Cefic Brussels, 22 September 2022 Meeting notes Participants Visitors' delegation: 1. Cefic (64879142323-90) COM: 2. Helena Braun (CAB-Timmermans) References - Issues raised & follow-up Mr underlined Cefic's support to the objectives of the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. He also said that Cefic is not opposed to REACH and CLP revisions but, given the possible negative impacts on the industry, considers it important to ensure that the proposals from the Commission will be workable, proportionate and coherent with other relevant pieces of EU legislation. The application of generic risk assessment and of the essential use concept deserve particularly careful consideration. Mr also mentioned that Cefic considers it important that the transition pathway for the chemicals industry that is under preparation is connected to and relevant for these major legislative revisions. Ms Braun took note of the points made. She said that the two most important revisions of the Strategy are indeed horizontal, the CLP revision and the targeted revision of REACH. Regarding REACH, the Commission's impact assessment is looking at the policy options to best translate the objectives of the Strategy into regulatory changes, considering the full impact of the options, including the costs and benefits of the possible measures on industry, health and safety of citizens and the environment. The Commission understands that industry needs to have reasonable time and planning security to make the necessary investments to substitute the substances that will be addressed, which is why a step-wise approach is seen appropriate. Ms Braun also asked about the Cefics cost assessment, in particular about the assumptions, which seem to go beyond Commission's plans, and about the reasons the study did not look at the health and environmental benefits, nor at the business opportunities from the transition to safe and sustainable chemicals. Mr Mensik underlined that the study is comprehensive, evidence based and the assumptions were based on the information that was communicated by the Commission in the Chemicals Strategy. Note taker - Copies -