In response to questions raised by MEPs, Candidate Commissioners Stéphane Séjourné (see letter) and Jessika Roswall (see letter) presented their views on the upcoming Chemicals Industry package, announced by President Ursula Von der Leyen in her Political Guidelines.

Both candidates commit to the creation of a “more efficient regulatory framework”, which would remove harmful substances from the market while creating a level playing field, with a view to maintaining and supporting the competitive position of sustainable EU companies globally.

To do so, they will prepare a Chemicals Industry Package including a legislative proposal for the revision of REACH in 2025. Departing from the previous Commission’s view that the authorisation/restriction may disappear, the candidates aim to substantially reduce the need for authorisations, by focusing mainly on broader restrictions.

The questionnaire was also an occasion to provide clarity on the delayed PFAS grouped restriction process. With a view contrasting with the current approach, Jessika Roswall commits to a ban in consumer uses (e.g. cosmetics, food contact materials and outdoor clothing) while expressing her support to the continued use of PFAS in industrial applications, in particular critical ones, under strictly controlled conditions.

Jessika Roswall and Stéphane Séjourné will respectively be heard by the ENVI Committee of the European Parliament on 5 and 12 November 2024.