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Ensuring that hazardous chemicals banned in the European Union are not produced for export

Environment

The legislative initiative aims to introduce a mechanism prohibiting production and/or export of certain hazardous chemicals that are banned in the EU, to protect non-EU countries from their negative effects on human health and the environment. The legislative initiative will further align the internal and external policies and improve the international standing of the EU, strengthening the credibility of our actions, and will fulfil a commitment made in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability

Links

Public consultation

ID: 13750

Lobbying Activity

37 responses

Environmental groups demand EU ban on hazardous chemical exports

European Environmental Bureau, 22 Jul 2023

The organization requests a comprehensive export ban on all chemicals banned in the EU, implemented by amending the PIC Regulation. They want the ban to apply to all countries, not just non-OECD nations, and include all use categories. They also call for transition support for farmers in importing countries and corporate accountability measures.
This would align EU internal and external policies and strengthen their advocacy for global chemical regulation.
Chemical manufacturers lose profits from selling banned products to poorer countries with weaker regulations.

Chemical industry urges global approach over EU export bans

European Chemical Industry Council, 31 Jul 2023

The industry requests global solutions through the Rotterdam Convention rather than EU-only measures. They support reviewing the PIC regulation but want production and export bans used only as last resort. They demand clear definitions, case-by-case decisions, and WTO compliance.
This would avoid losing exports to non-EU competitors and prevent shutdowns of petrochemical facilities.
Developing countries lose stronger safeguards against imports of substances banned in the EU.

Eurometaux urges clarity on proposed hazardous chemical export ban

EUROMETAUX, 31 Jul 2023

Eurometaux demands a clear distinction between substance bans and restricted uses. They insist that intermediate uses should stay exempt from export prohibitions.
This ensures European metal producers maintain a competitive level playing field globally.
Non-EU nations lose access to materials essential for climate and digital technologies.

CropLife Europe warns against EU ban on hazardous chemical exports

CropLife Europe, 14 Jul 2023

The group suggests strengthening existing regulations rather than implementing a total ban on manufacturing. They argue that farmers in third countries have unique needs due to specific climatic conditions. Proposed reforms include extending explicit consent requirements and harmonising digital documentation to track chemical usage.
Maintaining production allows European manufacturers to protect their global market position and industrial competitiveness.
Farmers in tropical regions lose access to specific pest control tools required for their unique environments.

Cosmetics Europe warns export ban threatens industry competitiveness

Cosmetics Europe, 31 Jul 2023

The group supports restrictions on substances proven to pose an unacceptable risk through assessment. They oppose banning products based solely on hazard classification, arguing this ignores safe use and exposure.
Preserving risk-based assessments ensures the industry remains competitive and prevents the relocation of manufacturing.
EU workers and regions lose as manufacturing shifts to areas with different safety requirements.

Finnish Chemical Industry Opposes EU Export Ban on Hazardous Chemicals

Chemical Industry Federation of Finland (Kemianteollisuus ry), 31 Jul 2023

The federation requests exemptions for chemicals with safe industrial uses in the EU, like sodium chlorate used in pulp production. They argue existing Prior Informed Consent procedures already protect importing countries through safety data sheets and labeling requirements.
This would allow them to continue exporting profitable industrial chemicals to non-EU markets.
Non-EU countries lose protections if EU exports are replaced by suppliers with weaker safety standards.

Pesticide Action Network demands ban on toxic pesticide exports

Pesticide Action Network Europe, 31 Jul 2023

They demand legally binding measures to stop companies from exporting banned hazardous chemicals. The EU should amend regulations to prohibit exports despite third-country consent.
This would help the organization achieve a toxic-free environment globally.
Chemical companies lose profits from selling toxic products to regions with weak regulations.

Euroseeds defends export of treated seeds to global markets

Euroseeds, 5 Jul 2023

Seed treatment protects plant health from pests to ensure crop quality and yield. It also prevents farmers abroad from having to handle dangerous raw chemicals directly.
This would preserve export revenues totaling billions of euros for European companies.

European Landowners' Organization urges EU to allow chemical exports

European Landowners' Organization asbl, 26 Jul 2023

ELO requests that the EU continues producing these chemicals under strict safety rules. They suggest sharing information with other countries instead of a total ban.
This allows European manufacturers to keep market share while avoiding relocation to less regulated regions.
Global environmental safety is harmed if production shifts to regions with fewer regulatory controls.

Corporate Europe Observatory Demands Ban on Toxic Pesticide Exports

Corporate Europe Observatory, 31 Jul 2023

The group calls for a legislative proposal to outlaw the export of dangerous pesticides. This would end double standards that harm human health and the environment globally.
An export ban would foster innovation and transition Europe toward sustainable farming practices.
Agrochemical giants lose profits from selling dangerous chemicals in countries with weak oversight.

Fair Trade Advocacy Office Urges Support for Farmers Under Chemical Ban

Stichting Fair Trade Advocacy Office, 31 Jul 2023

The organization requests financial and technical aid to help smallholder farmers adopt agroecological methods. They propose using EU instruments to fund transitions and provide infrastructure for sustainable agriculture.
This ensures their member farmers maintain market access while avoiding the high costs of transition.
Smallholder farmers would suffer significant financial losses if they bear the transition costs alone.

Ecologistas en Acción demands ban on exporting hazardous pesticides

Ecologistas en Accion, 25 Jun 2023

The group demands a total ban on manufacturing and exporting EU-prohibited substances. They also call for blocking imported food treated with these dangerous chemicals.
This would eliminate health risks from banned pesticide residues returning in imported food.
EU chemical companies would lose significant revenue from selling banned pesticides to non-EU countries.

Global 2000 demands ban on exporting hazardous EU pesticides

GLOBAL 2000, Friends of the Earth Austria, 30 Jul 2023

The organization demands a total ban on the export of highly problematic substances forbidden in Europe. They also call for ending import tolerances that allow residues of these chemicals to re-enter the EU market through food imports. All maximum residue limits for banned pesticides should be lowered to the detection threshold.
This ban would prevent dangerous residues from returning to the European market via imports.
Large chemical corporations would lose profits from the export of thousands of pesticide tons.

Coordination Rurale demands import bans alongside chemical export prohibitions

Coordination Rurale Union Nationale, 25 May 2023

Coordination Rurale argues that banning chemical exports must include strict measures on food imports. They request a ban on products grown using substances prohibited in the EU.
This would shield EU farmers from unfair competition and prevent the relocation of production.
Non-EU producers using banned chemicals would lose access to the European market.

Federchimica urges risk assessment over blanket chemical export bans

Federazione Nazionale dell'Industria Chimica italiana, 28 Jul 2023

Federchimica requests a socio-economic impact assessment to understand the implications for European industries. They argue that restrictions should be based on risk assessments rather than simple hazard classifications. The organization suggests improving global safety regulations instead of banning production.
This prevents loss of turnover and protects jobs within European chemical companies.
People in non-EU countries remain exposed to chemicals deemed hazardous within Europe.

Danish Consumer Council Urges Ban on Hazardous Chemical Exports

Forbrugerrådet Tænk (the Danish Consumer Council), 4 Jul 2023

The Council supports banning exports of hazardous chemicals already prohibited in the EU. They argue this measure should have been implemented simultaneously with domestic bans to eliminate double standards.
Consumers would be protected from banned pesticides that currently return to the EU through imported food.
Chemical manufacturers would lose revenue from hundreds of thousands of tons of restricted exports.

Consultation response

European Cocoa Association, 28 Jul 2023

ECA appreciates the Commissions efforts to reduce the use and risk of pesticides containing hazardous active substances, even beyond its borders, as outlined in the European Green Deal, the Farm to Fork strategy and the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. Even if they are prohibited in the EU,…

Consultation response

Alzchem Trostberg GmbH, 31 Jul 2023

Please see our feedback in the attached position paper.

Consultation response

Sociedad Española de Ornitología, 31 Jul 2023

Desde SEO/BirdLife consideramos positiva la iniciativa de la Comisión Europea para introducir una prohibición a la fabricación de productos químicos peligrosos (poniendo el foco en los plaguicidas) que no estén aprobados o estén prohibidos para su comercialización y/o uso en la UE y proponemos…

Consultation response

Stockholms universitet, 28 Jul 2023

I support this initiative. Exporting hazardous chemicals banned in the EU is unethical and contradicts human rights principles. Globally, chemicals have a negative impact on the environment and people's health. Millions of acute pesticide poisonings occur annually in low- and middle-income…

Consultation response

Euro Coop - European Community of Consumer Co-operatives, 15 May 2023

Euro Coop represents 20 members across Europe (15 in the EU) that are owned by some some 30 millions members of consumers' cooperatives. As Consumers' cooperatives, we share principles and values that are aimed to ensuring the highest level of safeguard for humans and environmental health. For that…

WECF urges EU to ban export of toxic chemicals

Women Engage for a Common Future, 31 Jul 2023

WECF urges authorities to stop exporting toxic chemicals to developing countries. They demand corporate due diligence to prevent companies from producing banned substances globally.
This policy would help protect women and vulnerable groups from hazardous chemical exposure.
The chemical industry loses export revenue while its claims about food security are dismissed.

Consultation response

Arnika, z.s., 26 Jul 2023

One of Arnika´s goals is to ban toxic chemicals globally. There is wide evidence about toxic substances contaminating people´s health globally. About 385 million cases of acute pesticide poisonings occur each year, mainly in low- and middle-income countries, where a large proportion of the…

Consultation response

Industrieverband Agrar e.V., 26 Jul 2023

Anliegend finden sie die Rückmeldung des Industrieverbands Agrar e.V. mit Sitz in Frankfurt am Main:

Consultation response

K+S Aktiengesellschaft, 28 Jul 2023

As K+S, we provide the agriculture market with highly efficient fertilizing products contributing to crop health and food security. At the same time, we set high standards for all our products and their environmental impacts in line with the high regulatory standards established in the EU. While in…

Consultation response

International Pollutants Elimination Network, 27 Jul 2023

IPEN is a network of over 600 public interest organizations in over 125 countries, mostly in low- and middle-income countries with a vision of a toxics free future for all. IPENs vision aligns with the goal set by the European Green Deal for a toxic-free environment. There is wide evidence about…

Consultation response

COSMED, 31 Jul 2023

COSMED warns on the disproportionate consequences that such intention could have in harming EU industries global competitiveness and more specifically SMEs in the event the manufacture and export of cosmetic substances and products would be prohibited without proper risk assessment while authorized…

Consultation response

EcoNexus, 30 Jul 2023

I have observed and commented on the introduction of mass monocultures of genetically modified crops in Argentina from 1997 onwards (see: Argentina: A Case Study on the Impact of Genetically Engineered Soya: https://www.econexus.info/publication/argentina-case-study-impact-genetically-engineered-soy…

Consultation response

Asociación empresarial para la protección de las plantas, 28 Jul 2023

AEPLA, Asociación Empresarial para la Protección de las Plantas, representa a empresas que fabrican productos fitosanitarios químicos en España, algunos de los cuales se exportan a terceros países, y son susceptibles de verse afectados por una potencial prohibición. Previo a la elaboración de una…

Consultation response

Natagora asbl, 21 Jul 2023

Je suis totalement contre la production et l'exportation de produits chimiques interdits dans l'union européenne. Nous savons que beaucoup d'insecticides sont extrêmement dangereux pour la santé humaine et pour l'environnement, nous les avons interdits en Europe et il n'y a aucune justification à…

Chemical distributors support EU ban on hazardous chemical exports

European Association of Chemical Distributors, 28 Jun 2023

The association supports the export ban but emphasizes that legislative action must focus on risk assessments rather than just hazard classification. They also call for international harmonization to prevent chemical misuse in developing countries.
A risk-based approach could allow them to continue exporting substances deemed essential for society.
Global health and environment suffer if hazardous chemicals are misused in poorly regulated developing countries.

Consultation response

European Crop Care Association, 26 Jul 2023

ECCA understands the underlying objectives set by this initiative. However, we believe the proposal will not have any significant impact on the use of Plant Protection Products (PPPs) in vulnerable countries and the final objectives of this initiative wont be meet. But while the final objectives…

Consultation response

Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust, 25 May 2023

The January 2017 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food report to the UN Human Rights Council concluded that pesticides are responsible for an estimated 200,000 acute poisoning deaths each year, 99 per cent of which occur in developing countries but that Approximately 25 per cent of…

Consultation response

COMITE DE LIAISON ENTREPRENEURIAT-AGRICULTURE-DEVELOPPEMENT, 31 Jul 2023

Please find COLEAD's response to this initiative in attachment.

Consultation response

Magyar Növényvédelmi Szövetség/ Hungarian Crop Protection Association, 25 Jul 2023

A Magyar Növényvédelmi Szövetségnél úgy gondoljuk, hogy az Európai Uniónak - mint a világ egyik legnagyobb felelőséggel eljáró növényvédőszer gyártójának - a kockázatértékelése és az átláthatóság terén jól bevált legjobb gyakorlatainak megosztásán kellene dolgoznia, ahelyett, hogy az anyagok…

Consultation response

Bau EPD GmbH, 21 Jul 2023

Gründe, warum wir ein Exportverbot brauchen: Diese Pestizide sind in Europa verboten, aber der Export ist erlaubt: Das ist eine Doppelmoral. Die gefährlichen Pestizide wurden in Europa verboten, nachdem sie mit Krebs, Beeinträchtigung der Fruchtbarkeit und neurodegenerativen Krankheiten in…

INDECOSA-CGT demands ban on exporting dangerous chemicals from EU

Information et défense des consommateurs salariés – Confédération générale du travail, 16 Jun 2023

INDECOSA-CGT demands an end to exporting chemicals judged too dangerous for European citizens. They insist the new rules must not allow exemptions similar to those found in REACH regulations.
Ending these exports prevents the displacement of toxic pollution to countries with fewer protections.
Chemical manufacturers would lose profits from exporting substances that are prohibited within the EU.