Document NNv25MGe4Kw5bk9O9xkrEvqVb

From: Sent: To: SAutbtjaecchtm:ents: Categories: Jlvetmesons oun BEUC- Directors Office <directorsoffice@beuc.eu> lund 2 novembre 2020 14:07 TIMMERMANS Frans (CAB-TIMMERMANS) I. BBEEUUCCwLe-l2c0o2m0es-3tMh4re5.CFhreamnicsTalismSmterratmeagnysforpdSfustainability Orange Category `The Consumer Voice in Europe MErx.ecFurtainvse TViicmem-ePrremsaindesnt for the European Green Deal REuureodpeealna CLooimm2i0s0sion B-1049 Brussels Ref: BEUC-L-2020-345/MGO/cm Brussels, 2 November 2020 `Subject: BEUC welcomes the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability Dear Executive Vice-President, COhnembiechaallsf SotfraBtEeUgCy,foIr wSiussthaitnoabiclointgyr.atAulsattreontghEeUEuchreompiecaanlsCopomlmiicsysiisoensseonntiaitls taombaicthiioeuvse tthhee porbojteeccttiivoens ooff hthuemaEnurhoepaelatnh.GArseesnucDhe,alt,heinncelwudiCnhgemtihceaslusstSatirnaatbelgey uissea ocfrurceiaslousrtceepspianngdtsthoonueghfsowrifttheimpnleecmeesnstaartyiosnociwieltlalbetrkaenystfoorimtastsiuocnceosust.lined in the European Green Deal, SCwoendsiusmhermsemwborerryfoarboeuxtamtphleier roewcenntl~yafnoduntdhetihratchniilndereonu'ts o~f teexnpossuurrveeyteod cchoenmiscuamles.rs Oaurre cFoonucreronuetdotfhaftivceheEmuircoaplesancsan lhikaerwmisecurerxepnrtesasnedd fuctounrceergnesneraabtoiuotnschaenmdictahles eninviervonemreyndta.y products, according to a 2017 Eurobarometer survey. This is up from 43% in 2014. Against this background, we warmly welcome that the Chemicals Strategy acknowledges atchtoisoen cpolnacn.erInnsde~eda,ndascoymomuiotbssetrheveEdUonto1a4ddOrcetsosbetr,he"m[..t]hrwoeugnheeadcotoncrmeatke,e asmubrietitohuast cenhveimriocnamlesnta.re Iptroisduecsepdeciaanldly uismepdoritnanat wtaoystthoapt udsoiensg ntohte hmuorstthuhamramnfulheaclhtehmiacnadlsthien consumer products, from toys and childcare products to textiles and materials that come in contact with our food." We fully support your vision. We urgently need new solutions from the EU to minimise consumers' exposure to harmful chemicals, including an integrated policy on chemicals in products, better protection of vulnerable groups, and a response to known policy gaps, such as combination effects or endocrine disruptors. We firmly believe the Chemicals Strategy is a first step towards delivering those solutions to Europe's consumers and the environment. We particularly welcome the Strategy's recognition of the need to empower consumers and consumer organisations. Doing so will indeed be key to drive industrial change and to improving compliance with EU chemicals legislation, including at the EU's borders and on online marketplaces. Consumer groups keep finding dangerous chemicals in products where they are not supposed to be. As the Strategy correctly states, there can be zerotolerance for companies breaching EU chemical rules. The Chemicals Strategy is a real chance to tackle this problem - and the broader issue of hazardous chemicals in consumers' lives - head-on. While the Chemicals Strategy promises to change how we produce, use, and consume chemicals in Europe, the real work now lies ahead. It is therefore imperative that the Commission acts swiftly and with ambition to ensure that the Chemicals Strategy delivers the necessary changes for consumers on the ground. This will in particular require that the implementing proposals live up to the Strategy's aims and intentions. When developing these proposals - which will be underpinned by the Better Regulation tools - the Commission must ensure that they reflect the Green Oath to `do no harm', including the harm that results from failing to take action to protect people and the environment. You can count on BEUC and our members to constructively and assertively contribute to making all these intended and needed changes a reality on the ground. In our experience, however, the Better Regulation agenda has too often come with a onesided focus on regulatory costs to business whilst neglecting the benefits of legal protection and empowerment, which are vital for people's trust and well-being. A renewed Better Regulation policy is needed to achieve the changes for consumers promised by the Chemicals Strategy, as well as to support the credibility of the European Green Deal as a transformative agenda. The upcoming Communication on Better Regulation, planned for adoption in November, is therefore a significant opportunity to ensure that future EU actions and policies place the needs of people and our planet at centre stage. Finally, the EU must ensure consistency among its policy tools. For example, EU trade policy needs to align with and complement the initiatives outlined in the Chemicals Strategy. We look forward to an opportunity to meet you to exchange on how the Chemicals Strategy can deliver to consumers on the ground, as well as how we can take the next steps towards Europe's zero pollution ambition. For your information, we have also sent this letter to Commissioner Sinkeviius. Yours sincerely, C/c: