Stakeholder workshop on the concept of ‘Essential uses’

The European Green Deal defines a clear vision and objectives to put European economy and society on a sustainable pathway, in particular to move towards climate neutrality, a circular economy and a zero pollution ambition. Key for this societal transformation will be the transition to a toxic-free environment, and in particular to phase out the most harmful substances, exposure to which can lead to severe chronic health effects, long-term environmental impacts, contamination of food and water and high costs for society. This is why one of the main goals of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability is to ban these substances in consumer and professional uses and only allow them if their use is proven essential for society and the risk can be appropriately managed.

The Chemicals Strategy announces that the Commission will define criteria for essential uses. These criteria will guide the application of the concept of essential uses in all relevant EU legislation for both generic and for some specific risk assessments. As first steps, the Commission plans to present the horizontal concept of essential uses by the end of 2022 and thereafter introduce the concept in the proposals for the revision of REACH and of other relevant legislation.