Revised Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Chemicals enters into force

The revised Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Chemicals (CLP) entered into force which marks a significant milestone in the protection of human health and the environment. It will also strengthen the internal chemicals market, paving the way for a more competitive and sustainable chemical industry. The revised CLP Regulation ensures clear chemical labelling, …

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Commission restricts use of a sub-group of PFAS chemicals to protect human health and the environment

The Commission has adopted new measures under the REACH Regulation – the EU chemicals legislation – to protect human health and the environment by restricting the use of undecafluorohexanoic acid (‘PFHxA’) and PFHxA ‑related substances. These sub-groups of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (‘PFAS’) are very persistent and mobile in water, and their use in certain products poses an unacceptable …

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EU and Canada launch Health Policy Dialogue to advance Health Priorities

Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, and Canada’s Minister of Health, the Honourable Mark Holland, held a virtual meeting to launch the EU-Canada Health Policy Dialogue under the EU-Canada Strategic Partnership Agreement. The Health Policy Dialogue, focused on cooperation across three priority areas: antimicrobial resistance, health security (including climate-related health risks), and non-communicable diseases (including cancer …

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Commission authorises mRNA vaccine against common respiratory virus

The Commission has authorised the mRNA vaccine ‘mResvia’, to immunise adults over 60 years of age against lower respiratory tract disease, which is caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. RSV is a common respiratory virus, usually with mild symptoms but has potential serious consequences for vulnerable people, including older adults. The authorisation of mResvia comes ahead of …

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Towards a mercury-free environment: Revised Mercury Regulation enters into force

The revised Regulation on Mercury prohibits the last intentional remaining uses of mercury in the EU and contributes to the Zero Pollution objective of a toxic-free environment. It represents a breakthrough in the safeguarding of human health, with clear environmental benefits. The new rules prohibit the use and export of dental amalgam by 1 January 2025. Member …

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Commission assessment shows the need to reinforce resilience of critical medicines supply chains

The Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) has presented to the Critical Medicines Alliance (CMA) the main findings of  a technical report assessing the supply chain vulnerabilities for critical medicines. This report will serve as a basis for further action to reinforce security of supply of a first tranche of 11 critical medicines from the Union list …

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Commission authorises Chikungunya vaccine and funds new mosquito eradication programme

The Commission has authorised the first-ever vaccine against Chikungunya virus – a disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. While Chikungunya is not endemic in the EU, the effects of climate change have led to an increased presence of mosquitoes that transmit serious diseases in Europe. A recent report by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) confirmed the …

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Commission secures access for Member States to 665,000 doses of zoonotic influenza vaccines to prevent avian flu

The Commission’s Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) as part of its mandate on preparedness, has signed on behalf of participating Member States, a joint procurement framework contract for the supply of up to 665,000 pre-pandemic vaccine doses of the up-to-date Zoonotic Influenza Vaccine Seqirus, as well as an option for a further 40 million doses …

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Commission welcomes agreement on stronger global health security rules

The Commission welcomes the agreement on the revised International Health Regulations, which was reached at the World Health Assembly in Geneva. The World Health Assembly brought together over 190 countries, including all EU Member States, who together adopted an ambitious package of amendments to the International Health Regulations, following two years of intense negotiations. By …

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