The European Union may backtrack on a pledge to ban hazardous 'forever chemicals' and other potentially harmful substances in consumer products, due to industry lobbying.
A ban on "the most harmful chemicals" being used in consumer products, apart from essential use, was a key facet of the EU's 2020 green deal, with an aim to prohibit at least 7,000 harmful substances, including "forever chemicals" or PFAS, that have been linked to numerous health issues.
Leaked documents indicate only a portion of hazardous chemical-laden products could be restricted, the Guardian has reported, with a new proposal for three options that would restrict either 1%, 10% or 50% of products containing hazardous chemicals currently on the market.
Critics expressed fears about the effects of this regulatory retreat, suggesting it may be a significant blow to the green deal and may increase cynicism about political alliances with large industries.
A leaked impact study estimated the ban, if imposed as originally planned, would generate a tenfold improvement in health savings compared to costs to the industry from chemical bans: the cost of treating illnesses such as cancer and obesity would be reduced by €11bn-€31bn while there would be €0.9bn-€2.7bn costs a year for businesses.
Resistance from the internal market directorate and pressure from EU heads of state and the chemical industry are cited as contributing factors to the possible policy relaxation.