On Friday 11 July, Eurometaux met Ms Vilja Sysaite, Social and Health Adviser Cabinet of EVP Séjourné, to discuss the forthcoming REACH revision and the regulatory status of lithium, as one of the examples where there is conflict between chemicals management and other EU objectives. Eurometaux was very actively supported by Dr Howard Winbow (Director European Affairs, International Zinc Association) and Roland Chavasse (Secretary General of the International Lithium Association).
The discussion allowed to highlight specificities of metals when it comes to chemicals management legislations and the extensive expertise, data and information we have within our sector from dealing with this complex landscape. We were also able to offer concrete proposals in finding ways forward in regulations and initiatives not designed with metals in mind (e.g. REACH, Chemicals Action Plan etc.), making a plea for more cooperative dynamics by being proactively consulted and in turn offered closer collaboration and assistance in drafting of metals specific guidance.
Commission Input
Ms Sysaite explained that the Commission is finalising in the coming days the Impact Assessment on REACH, as it was revised to also include the aspects of competitiveness and simplification. The actual drafting of the text will continue after the summer break and Commission would be keen to receive concrete examples of issues in REACH and solutions, highlighting how specificities can be better considered in REACH 2.0.
She also indicated that the discussions in the Parliament are expected to be complex and expressed an interest in understanding better how advocacy is led by the sector, e.g. to promote a risk-based rather than hazard-only driven approach. On the difficult issue of coherence between different objectives, and on Litium in particular, Commission confirmed they understood the issue of predictability for businesses and the importance of data and asked for pragmatic proposals regarding the next steps.
Eurometaux’s Messages
Eurometaux passed the following messages:
- Industry highlighted that metal specificities like natural occurrence or essentiality can affect the way these materials can be regulated and that successful cooperative actions between authorities and industry experts like MISA and ECABAM have been shown to have a strong potential to find efficient and implementable solutions.
- Risk management is crucial for our materials and industry is strongly committed in remaining up to date regarding best available science and robust data assessments. As most metals have hazardous properties, our strength is in identifying and reducing exposure. The EU has an extended toolkit of measures that can be taken to address emissions and exposures, which goes beyond REACH only.
- Metals risk management needs to be looked at in a broader context 5Cs approach to ensure we do not drop a key strategic asset we bring for the EU: chemicals management, circularity, climate action, criticality and competitiveness
Next steps
Eurometaux will coordinate the preparation of the concrete input requested for, to be submitted by end of August.
