human health

Better implementation of EU environmental rules protects human health and supports economic growth

The Commission published the fourth Environmental Implementation Review. It supports environmental enforcement and raises awareness about the importance of EU environmental rules to ensure prosperity, competitiveness and environmental security in the European Union. The costs of non-implementation of EU environmental laws through air and water pollution, nature degradation and waste are estimated at €180 billion per …

Read more

Commission proposes Critical Medicines Act to bolster the supply of critical medicines in the EU

The Commission has proposed a Regulation to improve the availability of critical medicines in the EU. The proposal aims to protect human health by incentivising supply chain diversification and boosting pharmaceutical manufacturing in the EU. This will support the EU’s pharmaceutical sector which is a major contributor to our economy. The Act also aims to improve access to other medicines of common …

Read more

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 …

Read more

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 …

Read more

Commission calls for applications for members of the Advanced Materials Technology Council

The Commission launched a call for applications for members of the new Technology Council for Advanced Materials. This high-level group will coordinate efforts to meet future needs for advanced materials in Europe and is key to building a single advanced materials ecosystem. It should ensure leadership in promoting research, fast-track deployment of innovations, address European industry needs and offer guarantees …

Read more