IFRA joins cross-industry call on EU chemicals rules

The International Fragrance Association has joined a cross-industry call to the European Commission not to overhaul the European Union's chemical rules.

A letter to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, coordinated by the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) and co-signed by IFRA and 17 other industry associations, says that the development of the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability should not lead to a root-and-branch rethink of the EU's REACH chemicals legislation.

Citing the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and of new British chemicals rules in the light of the UK's withdrawal from the EU, the letter calls on the Commission to continue to back the world-leading REACH system. 

The letter also encourages the Commission to create a new multi-stakeholder platform that would facilitate a structured dialogue between the Commission, member states, representatives of the European Parliament, and experts from industry, downstream users, consumer organizations and NGOs.