EFA co-signed a letter to strengthen health and environmental needs in the EU detergents regulation, currently under review. The letter, proposed by the Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS), brings together 17 EU-level environmental and health NGOs to urge the European Parliament to adopt safer detergents which minimise the harmful impacts on human health and the environment.
A group of 17 NGOs wrote to the European Parliament’s health and environment committee (ENVI) with recommendations for the ongoing revision of the EU Detergent Regulation. EFA is a signatory of the call as the revision of the regulation should strengthen the requirements for detergents, battle against hazardous chemicals and, all together, minimise the harmful effects on human health and the environment.
Detergents, skin and airways
Chemicals in everyday products, such as detergents, can be harmful when in contact with the skin or inhaled through mouth and nose.
People with contact dermatitis or respiratory conditions are particularly vulnerable, as they may face immediate symptoms such as red rushes, itching, blisters, cracking or a burning skin, watery eyes, airway irritation or even asthma-related reactions.
Safer detergents for all
The co-signatories of the letter addressed to the members of the European Parliament Committee for the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI), to put together a set of priorities moving forward with EU legislation, calling for the adoption of the ENVI report at the committee vote.
Jointly, we asked for the minimisation of the use of hazardous chemicals in line with the EU’s Zero Pollution ambition. EFA stressed that a coherent detergent revision would support the EU’ One Health approach, which recognises the interconnections between the environment and human health.
Following the joint letter, the ENVI report was adopted with broad majorities both from the ENVI Committee and the Plenary session that took place two weeks later. Once the Council reaches its own common position, the two institutions will engage into trilogue negotiations to give the updated regulation its final shape.
Read the full letter here.