Honourable Members, ladies and gentlemen, friends,
Good morning.
As policy makers, our core objective is to protect our citizens and society.
Chemicals policies are essential to that goal.
They seek to keep people and the environment safe, while supporting Europes competitiveness.
But no system is perfect, and every structure can be improved.
So, I am delighted to join todays vital discussion.
Let me start by thanking the organisers:
MEP Tsiodras, for his tireless work and leadership on important files.
MEP Hojsík, a long-standing ally and advocate for an ambitious and forward-looking REACH revision.
And Change Chemistry for organising this discussion and for your work to foster collaboration and innovation.
Finally, a warm welcome to all the innovative companies and civil society representatives joining us today.
Together, you are the voice of industry and citizens across the EU. Your engagement is vital if we are to develop safer and more sustainable chemicals.
Now, lets dive into the issue.
Europe has the most advanced and comprehensive chemicals legislation in the world.
We should all be proud of this.
It seeks to identify and manage risks – while also boosting competitiveness.
Both REACH and the Classification, Labelling and Packaging regulations have resulted in transparency, innovation, and safer chemical management across the single market.
REACH has allowed us to phase out numerous substances of very high concern.
It has helped us to improve information on chemical uses and hazards.
And it has forced industry to manage risks more responsibly.
By generating a lot of relevant information, REACH has laid the foundation for more evidence-based and informed regulatory decisions.
It has provided long-term legal stability and predictability – which in turn supports investment and spurs innovation in safer and more sustainable chemicals.
It has achieved a lot.
However, we also need to be honest and frank. REACH can do better and we can do better.
I do not believe that REACH has delivered on its full promise – nor has it protected citizens as much as we would have liked.
For example, REACH has not been able to deal with the significant challenges posed by PFAS and bisphenols.
This framework is nearly twenty years old. It needs to be updated and upgraded – and we are working hard to do exactly that.
We are simplifying the legislation to make it more efficient and predictable, both for authorities and for businesses.
At the same time, we need to modernise it in line with scientific progress – so that it is ready for todays world, but also for the future.
For example, it needs to better address risks from endocrine disruptors.
We are committed to a nuanced and comprehensive proposal, and that takes careful deliberation, and it takes time.
So, I cannot yet give a date for the proposal, but I can assure you that we are working hard to update the analysis.
Now, let me focus for a moment on some of the other concrete steps we are taking to protect citizens, the environment, and European competitiveness.
Much of them focus on the development of safer and more sustainable alternatives.
First, on the upcoming one substance, one assessment Regulation.
This will establish two important databases.
One – containing environmental sustainability data that will allow the assessment of chemicals throughout their lifecycle.
The second is a database of alternatives to substances of concern.
It will support research and development of alternatives – and also promote their use.
But we know that regulation alone is not enough to drive the full transition to safer and more sustainable chemicals.
Strong incentives and dedicated support for innovation are also vital.
This is why the Commission is helping companies, especially SMEs, to innovate, substitute harmful substances, and bring safer solutions to market.
Second, the Commission will soon adopt a revised Framework for ‘Safe and Sustainable by Design.
This will guide research and support the substitution of substances of concern.
Third, we will establish EU Innovation and Substitution Hubs, as announced in the EU Chemicals Industry Action Plan.
The goal is to overcome innovation barriers, accelerate safer and more sustainable solutions, and promote collaboration.
For example, the Hubs will focus on identifying safe and sustainable alternatives to dangerous chemicals like PFAS.
We are designing these hubs as we speak – and we are very interested in your input and guidance.
What do they need to be effective? What are the key ingredients? What should the precise objectives be?
Please share your views so we can build Hubs that deliver concrete benefits to industry, innovation and the environment.
Fourth - the Commission will adopt a new EU Bioeconomy Strategy on 25 November.
It will set out a clear vision for scaling up the manufacturing of sustainable bio-based materials, advancing biotechnologies, and promoting innovation and investment, including for the chemicals sector.
And looking further ahead, the Commission will also present a Circular Economy Act in 2026.
This aims to build a true single market for secondary raw materials – boosting both supply and demand.
The chemicals industry plays a central role in enabling circular solutions across value chains – so you will be at the very heart of this vital transition.
And the Act will open up important opportunities for the sector.
Honourable Members, ladies and gentlemen,
Events like this one are essential to shaping a forward-looking chemicals policy – one that leads to safer and more sustainable chemicals.
And they gather exactly the type of expertise, knowledge and commitment that we need to deliver concrete results.
Remember, our initiatives will only succeed if they are informed by real-life experiences and insights from frontrunners in the field.
So I wish you a constructive discussion.
And I encourage you all to channel your expertise and ideas into policy development,
Together, we can develop practical and impactful initiatives.
And together, we can lead a safe and sustainable chemicals transition.
Thank you.
