EU plan to curb hazardous chemicals hits snags as watchdogs warn of pollution rise

Environmental groups say the European Commission has become the “chief roadblock” to implementing its chemicals roadmap adopted in 2022, arguing that “unlawful delays” have led to nearly 100,000 tons of additional pollution from six hazardous substance groups.

The criticism follows a recent report titled “The EU’s Restrictions Roadmap,” published on Friday, which highlights increasing setbacks in the EU’s efforts to regulate hazardous chemicals.

Among the most concerning are toxic substances found in children’s diapers and persistent “forever chemicals” widely used in everyday products, which are part of 14 groups facing significant delays in regulatory action.

In April 2022, the European Commission announced its "restrictions roadmap," which aimed to phase out broad categories of harmful chemicals in what was described as the most comprehensive initiative of its kind.

However, four years on, implementation has fallen behind schedule.

According to a review by ClientEarth and the European Environmental Bureau, no regulatory process has yet been initiated for seven of the 22 targeted chemical groups, while progress on another seven has effectively been put on hold, raising concerns over the EU’s ability to deliver on its original commitments.

The delayed restrictions cover a range of hazardous substances, including lead in ammunition, which has been associated with chronic kidney disease in hunters; chemicals in childcare products linked to cancer and genetic mutations; calcium cyanamide, a fertilizer known to release carcinogenic compounds; and a bioaccumulative flame retardant commonly used in vehicles.

The EU's Reach rules require the commission to draft restriction updates within three months of expert advice, but the report found that deadlines were consistently missed, with delays ranging from 13 to 47 months.

The majority of the 98,000 tonnes of pollution linked to delays came from lead in ammunition and fishing gear, resulting in a 23-month delay. The European Chemicals Agency estimates that these sources emit approximately 44,000 tons of lead per year.

The roadmap’s initial timeline to phase out hazardous substances was “very encouraging,” Helene Duguy of ClientEarth told the Guardian but added, "Now we are four years after the initial publication—and things are really not looking good.” The commission did not comment.

While some chemicals were dropped or shifted to other regulatory paths, the latest roadmap update has delayed several timelines without explanation.

“The plan doesn’t really have a plan function anymore,” Duguy said, calling it “just like a mirror of the inefficiency and the lack of action by the European Commission.”