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m= `Executive Vice-PresidentoftheEuropeanCommission | Membero theEuropeanComission Brussels Wewouldietothankyouforyourletterconcemingthe CheicalsStrategyforSustainabittyand forthestrongappreciationthatyouexpressinthis regard.Weareindeed confidentthatthestrategy definesanambitiousvisionandconcretestepsforachieving a toxic eeenvironment,and thatas stuchriraeprneseosnuttsi,fanesdoyinoutrahelEsmuorpooapientatnouGtri,eeaoncrDuecnaiall.stepping-stonefortheeconomicandsocietal Weagreewiththe Keymessagesofyourletter, inparticularthatweurgentlyneed(0adressthe `concemsofconsumersabouthazardouschemicalspresent nthe productstheyareexposedto daily. Webelievethattheactionsannouncedinthestrategywillprovideboth astrengthened reguiatoryframeworkandthenecessaryincentivesforinnovation tobetterprotectandreassure consumers. Oneofthefrst actionswewillproposeis toensure thatthemosthaulchemicals rerolonger usedinconsumerproductsandno longerafectvulnerable groupslikechien.Themohsarmt `chemicalswillonybealowedinproducts iftheiruse isprovenessentialforthesociety. Inthemeantime,astisbancantakeplaceonyonceth relevantlegislationhasbeenrevised,in 2021 wewilpresent aroadmaptoprioritise restrictionsunderREACHforthosemosthamtul `chemicals. Wewildotisasfaras possiblebygroupsofsubstances,ratherthanoneby oneas done today. Asprotectionneedstogohandinhandwithimovationtowardsatemativs, thestrategyaimsto boostthedevelopmentofnew chemicalsandmaterialsthataresafeand sustainablebydesign crloemarpyriondduicctaitoen othatthseuebnsdtaonfcefse,oifnccoluncciengmby~ tghroeseensiunbgtsthaenpcreosdhuacvtionngofacchhreomniicacelfs,feTchteorshteraatletghy andtheenvironmentaswellasthose, whichhamperrecycingforsafeandhighqualitysecondary rawmaterials-shallbe de-protsedforinnovationandminimised asmuchas possibe Jn _des UnionsdeConsommateurs AISBL As you also stress, further to strengthening EU legislation for chemicals, it will be equally important to consolidate the legal framework, in particular by speeding up implementation and by strengthening enforcement and compliance. For this, consumers and consumer organisations have a key role to play, and can greatly help to improve compliance with the EU rules on chemicals. All new legislative initiatives announced in the strategy will be underpinned by the Commission's better regulation tools, as this will allow us to assess the best regulatory option on the basis of updated scientific evidence and stakeholders' inputs. The Action Plan announced with the strategy details the ambitious timing proposed for the follow-up initiatives and your input to those processes will be much appreciated. To create a virtuous circle between protection and innovation and to succeed in the transition to a toxic-free environment, we need to work and monitor progress together. We will establish a highlevel roundtable with representatives from industry, science and civil society to achieve the strategy's objectives in dialogue with the stakeholders concerned. The roundtable discussions are envisaged to focus in particular on how to make the chemicals legislation work more efficiently and effectively and how to boost the development and uptake of innovative, safe and sustainable chemicals across sectors. We are confident that the strategy will be a decisive stepping-stone to move towards a healthier and more sustainable economy and society. We count on your support in the implementation of the ambition and objectives of the strategy in the coming years. Yours sincerely, Frans Timmermans Virginijus Sinkevicius (OHFWURQLFDOO\ VLJQHG RQ 87& LQ DFFRUGDQFH ZLWK DUWLFOH RI &RPPLVVLRQ 'HFLVLRQ &