A Precautionary Approach - The Way Forward

Anne-Sofie Andersson, Director ChemSec

Kemien Dag, Copenhagen November 2014

Political processes Effective chemicals regulations

Business dialogue Products free of hazardous chemicals

Financial investors Avoid investments in high concern chemicals

Key message

Use the Precautionary Approach due to:✗ health problems in society✗ good reputation ✗ increased market advantages ✗ regulatory requirements

Tools for chemicals management: SIN: identify the SVHC and stay aheadSINimilarity: a tool to avoid regrettable substitution

Jämförelse klimat och kemikalier

Public concern and interest in chemicals

Eurobarometer, May 2014

The impact on our health of chemicals used in everyday products 43%

What product content do the consumers prefer?

• Benefits with precaution and less hazardous chemicals:

- reduced costs for waste - avoid take back actions

- avoid bad reputations

Economical reasons for precaution

Economical reasons for precaution

• Benefits with precaution and less hazardous chemicals:

- reduced costs for waste - avoid take back actions

- avoid bad reputations

Mattel´s recall of lead in toys

Is it a financial risk to invest in companies with a large use of SVHC?

Global trend REACH, Korea-REACH, California, China, Taiwan…

The SIN ListStaying ahead

The SIN List:Staying ahead

of regulation

Joint NGO initiative

Identifies high concern chemicals

Based on EU law: using criteria set up for Substances of Very High Concern in REACH.

Speed up REACH implementation and inspire other regulatory processes

Offer concrete guidance for companies to focus their substitution efforts

Joint NGO initiative

Identifies high concern chemicals

Based on EU law: using criteria set up for Substances of Very High Concern in REACH

sinlist.chemsec.org

The Precautionary Approach will remain: setup an internal chemicals management

Tools to use: SIN: identify the SVHC and stay aheadSINimilarity: a tool to avoid regrettable substitution

Conclusions

Health problems in the Society

“ …up to 40% of the health costs (in the Nordic Countries) associated with several serious male reproductive problems may be due to exposure to hormone disrupting chemicals…”*

*The Costs of Inaction, The Nordic Council, 17th of November 2014