EU judges side with chemicals agency over toxics secrecy

EU judges have sided with the chemicals industry, when they ruled that regulator ECHA does not need to release more data on the toxics being pumped into the environment. European chemicals manufacture is a €673 billion industry with a powerful lobby working to conceal its true impact on people and the planet.

In 2011, ClientEarth and ChemSec sued ECHA after it refused to publish data on dangerous chemicals used in the EU. ECHA has already conceded part of the case, revealing the names of toxics manufacturers in late 2012.

The regulator is still trying to withhold specific information on the quantity of dangerous chemicals manufactured every year by companies like Bayer, BASF and Evonik. The 356 toxics in question cause cancer, mutations and hormone disruption in people and animals.

ClientEarth toxics lawyer Vito Buonsante said: “The judges failed to recognize the importance of knowing exactly how much toxics each company produces. We need this information to hold industry to account, to push safer alternatives, and to better protect people from dangerous chemicals.”

A recent report by the European Commission shows lack of information about the health impacts of chemicals in everyday products is the number-one environmental worry for Europeans. Knowing the amount companies produce would help NGOs protect people and consumers make informed choices, while encouraging industry to look for safer alternatives.

The extensive ruling is still being analyzed by ClientEarth experts. ClientEarth and ChemSec are considering whether to appeal the ruling.

For more information, contact ClientEarth communications officer Rose Orlik: [email protected]

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