European Commission Updates Environmental Newsletter Archive

The European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs) have finalized their recommendations for changes to the rules about disclosing information on sustainable finance. These rules, part of the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), aim to make financial markets more transparent regarding sustainability risks and impacts. The ESAs proposed several updates, including new requirements for reporting on social issues like exposure to tobacco production…

Lawmakers in the European Parliament and Council have announced that they reached a provisional agreement on proposed regulations for a new “Ecodesign” framework to establish sustainability requirements for nearly all products across the EU, and to improve information to consumers about products’ environmental sustainability. The agreement follows an initial proposal by the European Commission in March 2022 to set rules to improve…

The European Union has developed regulatory framework for chemicals to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment from the harmful effects of chemicals. Although the chemical legislations deliver the intended results and is fit for purpose, there are shortcomings in the consistency of safety assessments, the efficiency of the underlying technical and scientific work, and…

As a part of the European Union's plan for ‘one chemical, one assessment’, they have proposed for a common data platform for chemicals across different EU legislations. The proposal sets out provisions on setting up a common data platform on chemicals and dedicated services provided by that platform complement existing provisions on databases, repositories or platforms containing chemicals-related information issued…

Belgium will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 January to 31 June 2024. The Programme of the incoming Belgian Presidency with the overall title “Protect, Strengthen, Prepare” has been published and the presents the following focus and activities: Overall objectives: The EU’s green transition agenda is driven by the urgent need to address the…

MedTech Europe have submitted a letter with recommendations for the Pack 27 RoHS lead exemptions to the consultant running the consultations, as well as DG Environment on 11 December. MedTech Europe continues to advocate EU RoHS Exemption pack 27 regarding uses of Lead in Electronic and electrical equipment. Information on GB RoHS: According to the UK RoHS Schedule, a number…

Developments in the use of new technologies, e.g., induction hobs and wireless charging, require updates to the assessment of how exposure to electromagnetic fields might impact our health, as well as the scientific guidelines that underpin restrictions and reference levels. In October 2023, following a request from the European Commission, the Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER)…

As a step to protect the environment, the European Commission have announced it's proposal for a regulation to control emissions of microplastics from plastic pellets to reduce microplastics pollution. The proposed regulation can be found here.

MEPs Glück, Niebler, Liese and Doleschal tabled a written question to the Commission regarding the U-PFAS restriction proposal pointing to the need of sufficiently broad derogations for critical sectors, including medical devices. On behalf of the Commission, Commissioner Breton have provided a written response that the Commission will consider making derogations from the envisaged restriction for critical uses of PFAS…