The control exercised by the European Commission over the tens of thousands of dangerous chemicals incorporated into consumer goods is too slow and opaque to protect the health and environment of Europeans. These are, in essence, the conclusions of a preliminary investigation report by the European Ombudsman, the official body of the European Union (EU) responsible for monitoring administrations, published on Monday, October 21.
The institution considers that “The persistent failure to comply with legal deadlines by the European Commission” in establishing restrictions on dangerous chemical substances constitutes “ “a case of mismanagement”. Mediator Emily O’Reilly notes that“The Commission takes an average of fourteen and a half months to prepare its draft decisions, while the legal deadline is three months”. In some cases it takes several years. The mediator considers that the opacity of this process is also a matter of “maladministration” On the part of the Brussels Executive, the information published on the meetings and deliberations of the experts is too summary.
“These delays represent a threat to human health and the environment, because companies may continue to use, during the authorization procedure, chemicals that may be carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic to reproduction or have properties harmful to the endocrine system” .specifies the mediator.
On her own initiative, and following reports from several non-governmental organisations, Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly opened an investigation in June to examine the role of the European executive in managing risks related to dangerous chemicals in the EU. . Union (EU). PFAS, phthalates, bisphenols, parabens, flame retardants… these so-called pollutants “daily” They are everywhere: toys, food packaging, clothing, furniture, electronic devices, cosmetics, paints, cleaning products, pesticides, etc.
The three-month deadline is almost never respected
Some end up accumulating so much in the environment and water resources that they eventually find their way into food. Across the EU, the industry produces around 300 million tonnes of chemicals each year. The vast majority (74%) consider themselves “dangerous to health or the environment” by the European Environment Agency. And 18% are classified as potentially carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic.
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