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Verband der Chemischen Industrie e.V.

VCI

Verband der Chemischen Industrie e.V. represents around 3,200 companies in the German chemical-pharmaceutical sector.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Peter Liese (Member of the European Parliament) and Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl and

14 Jan 2026 · Austausch

German chemical industry demands faster scale-up for advanced materials

17 Dec 2025
Topic — A legislative proposal to strengthen European research and production capacities for advanced materials.
Message — The VCI advocates for coordinated policy measures to accelerate approvals and remove regulatory barriers hindering industrial scale-up. They recommend establishing an industry advisory board and single entry points for projects to simplify administration. They also strongly oppose mandatory sharing of business-relevant data or intellectual property.123
Why — Faster market access and reduced administrative burdens would enhance the industry's global competitiveness.45
Impact — Proponents of the European data economy lose access to valuable industrial datasets due to restricted data sharing.6
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Meeting with Peter Liese (Member of the European Parliament) and Bundesärztekammer

11 Dec 2025 · Austausch

German chemical industry urges voluntary EU Taxonomy framework

5 Dec 2025
Topic — This consultation reviews and updates technical screening criteria for the EU Taxonomy's environmental goals.
Message — VCI proposes making the EU Taxonomy voluntary and updating rules for pharmaceutical manufacturing. They want criteria that reflect the industry's purpose and include chemical recycling.123
Why — Companies could more easily classify persistent medicines and new chemical recycling processes as sustainable.45
Impact — Environmental protections are weakened if persistent chemicals are allowed to be labeled as sustainable.6
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Meeting with Sven Gentner (Head of Unit Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union)

3 Dec 2025 · Exchange of views on simplified ESRS (EFRAG draft) and Omnibus CSRD legislative process

German Chemical Industry Calls for Greater Transparency and Industry Input at ECHA

27 Nov 2025
Topic — Reform of European Chemicals Agency governance, financing, and committee procedures.
Message — VCI requests mandatory direct dialogue between ECHA and affected companies, binding involvement of companies in committee meetings, and publication of substantial summary records instead of minimal final minutes. They also seek an appeals panel for committee opinions and a data owner forum.12345
Why — This would reduce time and costs by preventing technically infeasible requirements and avoiding lengthy appeals.67
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Meeting with Nils Behrndt (Deputy Secretary-General Secretariat-General)

26 Nov 2025 · Simplification and competitiveness

Meeting with Martin Lukas (Director Trade)

6 Nov 2025 · Meeting between DG TRADE- Directorate G and the German chemical industry association (VCI)

Meeting with Jens Geier (Member of the European Parliament)

29 Oct 2025 · Exchange on Industrial Accelerator Act

Meeting with Aleksandra Baranska (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera Rodríguez), Anna Vernet (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera Rodríguez)

20 Oct 2025 · EU Emission Trading System (ETS) State aid Guidelines and the German chemical industry

German Chemical Industry Urges Broader Reform in EU Food Safety Omnibus

14 Oct 2025
Topic — EU proposal to simplify and clarify food and feed safety requirements across multiple regulations.
Message — The organization requests the Omnibus be a starting point for systematic reform to remove overlaps and restore legal certainty. They call for extended data protection for biocides beyond 2025, reduced approval times for biopesticides to 2-3 years, and a no ban without alternative strategy for plant protection products.123
Why — This would protect their investment in new studies and maintain market access for their products.4
Impact — Environmental and health advocates lose stricter data requirements and faster phase-out of potentially harmful substances.5
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Meeting with Andreas Glück (Member of the European Parliament)

14 Oct 2025 · Climate and Energy Policy

German chemical industry seeks simplified EU research subsidy rules

6 Oct 2025
Topic — Revision of EU regulation governing state aid exemptions for research and innovation
Message — The organization requests simplified criteria for companies in difficulty, unified aid intensity rates of 50% for industrial research and experimental development, and removal of complex counterfactual scenario requirements. They want higher flat-rate allowances for indirect costs and clearer rules for pilot plant funding.1234
Why — This would reduce compliance burdens and increase available funding for research and development projects.567
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German Chemical Industry Urges Broader Innovation Act Beyond Start-Ups

2 Oct 2025
Topic — EU framework to strengthen innovation ecosystem and remove barriers for innovative companies.
Message — The organization requests expanding the Innovation Act beyond start-ups to include industrial mid-caps, introducing regulatory sandboxes with clear transition paths, and modernizing state aid rules. They want early innovation impact assessments in legislation and simplified approval procedures for pilot plants.12345
Why — This would reduce regulatory burden and provide targeted support for mid-sized chemical companies currently excluded from SME benefits.67
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Meeting with Jan Ceyssens (Cabinet of Commissioner Jessika Roswall), Vita Jukne (Cabinet of Commissioner Jessika Roswall)

2 Oct 2025 · 1. Environment & industry concerning the upcoming environmental omnibus proposal: IED, permitting procedures, AAQD, urban wastewater (UWWTD), EUDR, waste/batteries, OSOA 2. Circularity: ESPR and PPWR 3. REACH revision

Meeting with Marion Walsmann (Member of the European Parliament)

1 Oct 2025 · Omnibus

German Chemical Industry Urges Simplification of EU Nature Credit Plans

30 Sept 2025
Topic — EU roadmap for creating a nature credit trading system to fund biodiversity protection.
Message — The association requests that existing biodiversity regulations be improved and integrated before introducing new instruments. They call for feasibility and market analyses of the nature credit system, including certification systems and trading platforms. They emphasize the need for clear rules and definitions.123
Why — This would reduce bureaucratic burden and compliance costs for their member companies.45
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German chemical industry seeks relief from CBAM reporting burdens

25 Sept 2025
Topic — EU methodology for calculating embedded emissions under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
Message — The association requests three main changes: exclude reusable empty containers from CBAM reporting thresholds, simplify the reference period to use import year data only, and count materials already covered by EU ETS as zero emissions.123
Why — This would reduce administrative complexity and avoid duplicate carbon pricing for materials.45
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Meeting with Astrid Van Mierlo (Head of Unit Taxation and Customs Union)

22 Sept 2025 · CBAM

Meeting with Peter Liese (Member of the European Parliament)

16 Sept 2025 · Austausch

German chemical industry urges flexibility in EU 2040 climate target

15 Sept 2025
Topic — Amendment to EU Climate Law to include 2040 climate target and path to 2050 neutrality.
Message — The organization requests earlier access to international carbon credits (from 2028 instead of 2036), a higher allowance (5% instead of 3% of EU emissions), and annual crediting. They demand recognition of international certificates under Article 6 Paris Agreement in the EU Emissions Trading System.123
Why — This would reduce compliance costs by allowing cheaper international offsets instead of domestic reductions.456
Impact — Domestic renewable energy and climate tech sectors lose investment as industry offshores emission reductions.7
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German chemical industry demands equal treatment for carbon capture

11 Sept 2025
Topic — Consultation on creating competitive markets and transport infrastructure for captured CO2 emissions.
Message — The industry seeks to include waste incineration in carbon pricing. They want products using captured carbon exempted from emission costs.123
Why — This would exempt companies from emission costs and create a new market for trading carbon.45
Impact — Waste incineration operators would face higher costs from mandatory inclusion in carbon trading.6
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VCI Urges Broad Expansion of ETS Electricity Price Compensation

1 Sept 2025
Topic — Updating EU rules for state aid compensating industry for high carbon costs.
Message — The group of beneficiaries should be expanded to include all sectors at risk of relocation. They propose removing environmental performance requirements and lifting the current limit on aid intensity. Additionally, the CO2 factor for German electricity must not be reduced.123
Why — This would lower operating costs and provide more extensive financial relief to chemical companies.45
Impact — Climate goals are undermined by removing mandatory energy audits and freezing efficiency benchmarks.67
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Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament)

27 Aug 2025 · 2040 climate target

VCI Urges Inclusive Rules for Chemical Recycling in Plastic Bottles

19 Aug 2025
Topic — This consultation establishes common rules for calculating and reporting recycled content in plastic beverage bottles.
Message — The association demands that all chemical recycling technologies be recognized. They advocate for a mass balance method and allowing credit transfers between sites.123
Why — Utilizing existing refinery infrastructure would reduce investment costs and help companies meet circularity targets.45
Impact — Foreign manufacturers would face stricter enforcement and penalties to prevent unfair competition with EU industry.67
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VCI rejects carbon border tax expansion for chemicals

6 Aug 2025
Topic — The consultation explores extending the carbon border adjustment mechanism to include downstream products.
Message — The VCI opposes extending carbon border taxes to downstream chemical products. They argue the move creates excessive bureaucracy without providing real protection against leakage. They propose alternative tools like international certificates and adjusting the linear reduction factor.123
Why — Maintaining the current scope prevents complex reporting burdens and additional compliance costs.45
Impact — Environmental goals suffer as foreign exporters bypass rules through resource shuffling practices.67
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Meeting with Svenja Hahn (Member of the European Parliament)

1 Jul 2025 · Exchange on Trade Policies

Meeting with Kurt Vandenberghe (Director-General Climate Action)

26 Jun 2025 · ETS reform

Meeting with Peter Liese (Member of the European Parliament) and Europe Calling e.V.

25 Jun 2025 · Austausch

German Biotech Industry Proposes Networked EU Bioeconomy Strategy

23 Jun 2025
Topic — This consultation seeks to develop a circular, regenerative, and competitive European bioeconomy strategy.
Message — The DIB proposes a networked bioeconomy where national strategies act as innovation hubs. They call for mutual recognition of certifications and regulatory openness rather than top-down harmonization. They also emphasize that the EU Biotech Act must apply consistently across all biotechnology sectors.123
Why — DIB companies would maintain regional specialization while accessing broader markets through mutual recognition.4
Impact — Central EU authorities would lose the power to set binding, uniform targets for member states.5
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German chemical industry urges unified EU biotechnology regulatory framework

11 Jun 2025
Topic — The Commission is proposing measures to accelerate the transition of biotechnologies to market.
Message — The group wants a single regulatory framework that treats biotechnology as a cross-sectoral technology. They suggest moving away from rules designed for fossil-based products to streamline approvals. It is also vital to include large companies as partners in the biotech ecosystem.123
Why — Creating a separate track for biological products would reduce costs and regulatory friction.45
Impact — Fossil-fuel industries may lose competitive advantages as regulations pivot toward biological production systems.6
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Meeting with Andrea Wechsler (Member of the European Parliament) and BASF SE and ExxonMobil Petroleum Chemical

2 Jun 2025 · EU Energy and industry policy

Response to European strategy on research and technology infrastructures

21 May 2025

The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) welcomes the Commission's initiative and supports the goal of strengthening EUs research and technology infrastructure (RTI) ecosystem. The challenges identified - fragmented funding landscape, insufficient coordination and limited access - reflect central problems regularly encountered in industrial practice. Pilot and demonstration plants are crucial for translating research into industrial application. The highest investment risks ("valley of death") occur here, and it is here that suitable funding instruments with sufficient CAPEX and OPEX support are often lacking. Commission rightly identifies this gap - chemical industry has long called for "transfer funding" to address it. Future RTIs must address the differing needs along the industrial value chains. Start-ups, SMEs and large companies have different technological, financial and operational requirements, which also differ considerably depending on their position within the value chain. An RTI-ecosystem must offer customized access, modular usage concepts and flexible support formats are available. To improve efficiency, capacity utilization and specialization, existing technology hubs and research infrastructures should be better networked across Europe. Structured cooperation and functional coupling can create synergies and improve visibility for industrial users. The strategy should provide corresponding mechanisms and cooperation platforms. In global competition, expanding technology hubs, decentralized test centers and infrastructures for industrial scaling is essential. These should function as genuine development and validation platforms for companies of all sizes - embedded in a regulatory environment that enables innovation. The strategy should focus on key technological areas. For the chemical industry, for example, sustainable processes, bio-based production, material recycling, digitalization and process automation are key areas of innovation. Precise designation of such priority technology fields would increase the ability to plan and support the targeted allocation of resources and infrastructure. A central concern is the harmonization and modernization of the regulatory framework, particularly for novel processes, modular plants and pilot projects. Experiences with real-world laboratories and experimentation clauses show that flexible regulatory approaches, accelerated authorizations and legal clarity are crucial. The strategy should make concrete proposals on how innovation-friendliness can be systematically improved in authorization and state aid law. Integrating support at EU, national, and regional levels can create synergies but must be paired with low-threshold, transparent access - especially for smaller companies. Approaches such as voucher programs, investment grants and tax incentives have proven to be particularly effective. The funding landscape needs to be better coordinated. A governance structure that takes sector-specific requirements into account and actively integrates industrial user needs would be a decisive lever for strengthening the overall system. Proposed measures - investment bundling, digitalization, and user centricity - are good starting points. Success depends on close coordination with industry and a clear sectoral focus. From the chemical industrys view, an EU funding framework for pilot and demonstration projects is necessary. This should be designed independently of existing instruments, e.g. IPCEI or CISAF, and be focused on the long term, flexibility and feasibility. The chemical industry is ready to help shape and implement this strategy. A technology-open, application-orientated and industry-integrated implementation is crucial to secure Europe's innovative strength, industrial resilience and technological sovereignty. Info: https://www.vci.de/themen/forschung/durch-valley-of-death-zu-innovationen-und-wertschoepfung-foerderung-von-pilot-und-demonstrationsanlagen.jsp
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Meeting with Ingeborg Ter Laak (Member of the European Parliament)

21 May 2025 · Green claims directive

Meeting with Kerstin Jorna (Director-General Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs)

19 May 2025 · Exchange of views on challenges for the sector.

German chemical industry seeks product exclusions from deforestation rules

13 May 2025
Topic — Consultation on clarifying product scopes and rules within the EU Deforestation Regulation.
Message — The organization requests the exclusion of several product groups, such as rubber gloves and printed materials. They also demand more compliance time and the removal of requirements to destroy research samples.12
Why — These exclusions would reduce the significant administrative burden of manually tracing commodity content.3
Impact — Environmental groups lose oversight as several commodity-derived products would be excluded from strict tracking.4
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German biotech industry demands unified EU life sciences strategy

17 Apr 2025
Topic — The Commission is developing a strategy to boost European life sciences competitiveness.
Message — The association calls for a unified framework that simplifies regulation. They suggest streamlining permitting processes and harmonizing standards across member states.123
Why — Streamlined regulations would lower compliance costs and help companies scale up innovations faster.45
Impact — Fossil-based industries could lose market share to biotech products favored by new incentives.67
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Meeting with Markus Ferber (Member of the European Parliament)

9 Apr 2025 · Clean Industrial Deal

Meeting with Dan Jørgensen (Commissioner) and

8 Apr 2025 · chemical industry

Meeting with Jessika Roswall (Commissioner) and

8 Apr 2025 · Revision of the REACH Regulation, chemical recycling, PFAS

Meeting with Maroš Šefčovič (Commissioner) and

8 Apr 2025 · Overcapacity and state of play on EU-US trade relations

Meeting with Ekaterina Zaharieva (Commissioner) and

8 Apr 2025 · Exchange on the on the challenges and opportunities of the German Chemical Sector

Response to Adaptation of ECHA fees to inflation

2 Apr 2025

Der VCI begrüßt die Möglichkeit, zum Entwurf der Änderung der Gebührenverordnung Stellung zu nehmen. Bei den enormen Kosten, die Antragsteller im Biozidverfahren tragen müssen, sind auch die Gebühren ein wichtiger Faktor. Vor dem Hintergrund der gesamtwirtschaftlichen Situation, dem kontinuierlichen und inzwischen deutlich sichtbaren Verlust von Wirkstoffen und Biozidprodukten für bestimmte Anwendungen sowie dem Ausbleiben von Innovationen unter sich stetig ändernden Bedingungen stehen wir einer solchen Gebührenerhöhung sehr kritisch gegenüber. In unserer Stellungnahme, die als Anhang beigefügt ist, gehen wir ausführlicher auf die einzelnen Aspekte ein. Vielfache Gebühren und hohe finanzielle Belastungen: Die Höhe der Gebühren und Kosten für Studien etc., die vom Antragsteller getragen werden müssen, stellen eine enorme Belastung für die Unternehmen dar. Die betrifft auch Unternehmen, die zwar keine Biozidprodukte vermarkten möchten, jedoch aufgrund fehlender Verfügbarkeit Anträge auf Wirkstoffgenehmigung und Zulassung von Biozidprodukten für eigene Anwendungen einreichen Zahlungen müssen bereits zu Beginn des Verfahrens geleistet werden. Zu diesem Zeitpunkt ist in der Regel der Ausgang des Genehmigungs- bzw. Zulassungsverfahrens offen. Bei neuen Wirkstoffen oder Produkten kommt hinzu, dass die Akzeptanz im Markt nur abgeschätzt werden kann. Ob ein Produkt zugelassen, vom Kunden/Verwender akzeptiert und die Investitionen sich amortisieren werden, ist unsicher. Hinzu kommt, dass die Nachfrage an bestimmten Produkten starken Schwankungen im Markt, abhängig vom Vorkommen der Schadorganismen, unterworfen sein kann. Vor dem Hintergrund des für alte Wirkstoffe auslaufenden Datenschutzes zum Ende 2025 und die unsichere bzw. unbefriedigende Finanzierung neuer Studien könnte eine Gebührenerhöhung das Aus für viele Stoffe bedeuten. Hohe Gebühren wirken sich nachteilig auf Innovationen aus und gefährden die Resilienz! Gebührenstruktur und Erfahrungen mit den Verfahren: Neben der Anpassung an die Inflation wird in der bisherigen Gebührenverordnung (EU) Nr. 564/2023 auch die ständige Überprüfung der Gebühren gefordert. Die EU-Kommission soll hierbei alle Informationen berücksichtigen, die im Zusammenhang mit zu erwartenden Einnahmen und Ausgaben der Agentur verfügbar werden. Insbesondere den Auswirkungen auf kleinere und mittelständische Unternehmen (KMU) ist Rechnung zu tragen. Wir vermissen eine differenzierte Auseinandersetzung mit der bestehenden Gebührenstruktur. Einige der bisherigen Gebührentatbestände halten wir für nicht mehr zeitgemäß schlagen in unserer Stellungnahme konkrete Punkte zur Änderung vor. Wir befürchten, dass die Erhöhung von Gebühren im Zusammenhang mit Unionszulassungen eine Verschiebung hin zu nationalen Zulassungen verursachen könnte und so die Vorteile, die eine Unionszulassung bietet, konterkariert. Wir stellen nicht in Frage, dass es seit 2013 insgesamt eine hohe allgemeine Inflation gegeben hat. Für diese sind jedoch maßgeblich gestiegene Preise für Energie und Lebensmittel verantwortlich. Eine Steigerung der Gebühren um 19,5 % halten wir für Biozidverfahren, die von diesen beiden Hauptfaktoren unabhängig sind, für nicht gerechtfertigt. Wir bitten den Gesetzgeber, vor einer Erhöhung der Gebühren die bisherige Gebührenstruktur und die Gebührenverordnung umfassend zu prüfen und auch das Potenzial durch eine bessere Umsetzung der BPR zu berücksichtigen. Der gesamtwirtschaftliche Situation sollte Rechnung getragen werden. Darüber hinaus möchten wir darauf hinweisen, dass Kosten für Genehmigungs- und Zulassungsprozesse bereits frühzeitig in der Budgetplanung von Unternehmen berücksichtigt werden. Eine Erhöhung der Gebühren ohne ausreichende Übergangsfristen würde die Finanzplanung von Antragstellern torpedieren und den bestehenden Markt verzerren. Auch bei den Gebühren benötigen die betroffenen Unternehmen Rechts- und Planungssicherheit. Wir bitten um Beachtung des beigefügten ausführlichen Dokuments.
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German chemical industry urges voluntary EU taxonomy reporting

26 Mar 2025
Topic — Proposed amendments to simplify sustainability reporting requirements under the EU Taxonomy Delegated Acts.
Message — The VCI requests that the EU Taxonomy framework becomes a voluntary system. They want pollution criteria aligned with existing rules to reduce documentation burdens. They also propose making disclosures on operating expenses optional for all companies.123
Why — This would significantly reduce bureaucratic hurdles and lower costs for chemical producers.45
Impact — Environmental groups and investors lose standardized transparency regarding chemical production risks.67
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Meeting with Moritz Körner (Member of the European Parliament)

19 Mar 2025 · Introductory Meeting

Response to EU Start-up and Scale-up Strategy

14 Mar 2025

VCI welcomes the initiative. Chemistry, biotechnology and life sciences are key drivers of innovation for the green transition, technological sovereignty and economic resilience. Start-ups in these areas develop breakthrough solutions, from advanced materials to circular economy technologies. To unlock their full potential, the strategy must address the challenges faced by these start-ups, such as access to finance, regulatory complexity and significantly longer development cycles and deployment and launch periods compared to other sectors. Targeted support, reduced administrative burdens and alignment with the prospective Innovation Act and Research Area Act as well as the SME Strategy are essential for fostering innovation and supporting sustainable development of start-ups in Europe. Yet, the SME definition should not be a limiting factor. The EU correctly identifies several major hurdles for start-ups and scale-ups in these sectors. Access to finance is a pressing challenge as substantial funding is required for research, development and scaling. Securing capital, particularly in later growth stages, remains difficult. Additionally, complex and time-consuming regulatory and compliance procedures can significantly delay market entry, placing an extra burden on young companies and making them internationally uncompetitive. Start-ups also face difficulties in accessing markets due to high competition. The shortage of skilled professionals in science, technology, and entrepreneurship is a growing concern, making it harder for start-ups to build strong teams. Access to essential infrastructure, e.g. specialized laboratories, pilot plants, and support services, is a critical factor limiting their ability to innovate and grow. Start-ups and scale-ups are part of a broader European innovation ecosystem, with SMEs, mid-caps, and corporates playing crucial roles in sustaining, scaling, and (co-)developing start-up-driven innovations. Their involvement is key to ensuring that breakthrough ideas mature into commercially viable solutions and have a lasting impact on the economy and society. Particularly technology-driven sectors often struggle with securing intellectual property (IP) rights due to the complexity and length of the process as well as the cost of patenting. Establishing credibility in the market and acquiring early customers can be difficult, as can be finding experienced mentors and industry networks that provide guidance and strategic support. For those looking to expand internationally, cultural and language barriers present additional obstacles. To create a more supportive ecosystem, the EU and its Member States should focus on improving funding mechanisms by expanding grants, loans and venture capital while fostering public-private partnerships. The regulatory landscape, especially for biotechnology and life sciences, should be streamlined towards a future-proof system with internationally competitive fast-track approval mechanisms for innovative technologies while maintaining high standards. Supporting start-ups in accessing international markets through trade agreements, export promotion programs, business matchmaking initiatives, and standardization would further strengthen their position. Talent development must be a priority, with education and training programs better aligned to industry needs and incentives provided to attract skilled professionals. Expanding infrastructure, e.g. innovation hubs, incubators, and accelerators, would ensure that start-ups have access to the resources they need. Safeguarding IP is essential for fostering innovation, securing investments, promoting research and development and enabling tech transfer. Hence, strengthening intellectual property protection would further enhance competitiveness. Additionally, fostering networking and mentorship opportunities by connecting start-ups with industry leaders, investors and successful entrepreneurs could provide crucial guidance.
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Response to Technical specification for interoperability relating to the telematics subsystem of the rail system

13 Mar 2025

Wir unterstützen das Ziel der Initiative, die Transparenz im Schienengüterverkehr zu verbessern. Die Prozesse im komplexen System Eisenbahn durch das Teilen von Daten besser steuerbar zu machen und zu optimieren, ist eine wichtige Voraussetzung zur Stärkung des Schienengüterverkehrs. Das Teilen von Daten darf allerdings nicht dazu führen, dass der Wettbewerb beeinflusst oder die Sicherheit gefährdet wird. Die vorgesehene Verpflichtung der Infrastrukturbetreiber, Daten über den Betrieb von Güterzügen zu veröffentlichen, sehen wir in der geplanten Form daher sehr kritisch. Daten zum Lauf einzelner Wagen mit Angaben wie z. B. Versandbahnhof, Empfangsbahnhof, Zugabfahrtszeit, Ladungsgewicht und Gefahrgutdaten sind nicht nur für den Eisenbahnbetrieb relevant. Eine Wagenladung entspricht in der Regel einer Sendung. Daher handelt es sich bei diesen Daten zugleich um Sendungsdaten der Kunden der Eisenbahn, die aus folgenden Gründen nicht zur Veröffentlichung geeignet sind: 1. Transparenz über Sendungsdaten ist wettbewerbsrelevant, da sie Rückschlüsse auf Geschäftsbeziehungen ermöglicht. Es würde für Wettbewerber nachvollziehbar, wie Warenströme verlaufen und welche Mengen in welchen Intervallen transportiert werden. Dies kann aus Wettbewerbsgründen nicht gewünscht sein und wird von uns abgelehnt. 2. Die Veröffentlichung von Gefahrgutdaten schafft eine Transparenz, die das Risiko von Diebstählen und Missbrauch gefährlicher Güter erhöht. Dies widerspricht den Vorschriften für die Sicherung beim Transport gefährlicher Güter, die alle Beteiligten dazu verpflichtet, diese Risiken zu minimieren, vgl. Kapitel 1.10 RID. Für die Beförderung gefährlicher Güter mit hohem Gefahrenpotential müssen vertrauliche Sicherungspläne erstellt und angewendet werden, deren Inhalte nur denjenigen Personen zugänglich sein dürfen, die diese benötigen, vgl. Abschnitt 1.10.3 RID. Eine Bekanntmachung dieser sicherheitsrelevanten Informationen würde das verfolgte Schutzziel aushebeln. Über die Vorschriften zur Beförderung gefährlicher Güter hinaus halten wir die Veröffentlichung auch vor dem Hintergrund der europaweiten Bemühungen um die Umsetzung der CER-Richtlinie zum Schutz kritischer Infrastruktur für bedenklich. Der Schienengüterverkehr würde so eine Angriffsfläche für Sabotage, nachrichtendienstliche Aufklärung und Wirtschaftsspionage bieten. Der Zugriff auf oben genannte Daten muss daher aus unserer Sicht auf diejenigen beschränkt werden, die ein berechtigtes Interesse daran haben (z. B. direkt am Eisenbahnbetrieb Beteiligte, Verlader, Kunden; jeweils für ihre Wagen bzw. Sendungen). Veröffentlicht werden dürfen nur aggregierte Daten, die keine Rückschlüsse auf einzelne Wagenläufe bzw. Sendungen erlauben. Dabei ist zu beachten, dass eine einzelne Sendung auch einen ganzen Zug umfassen kann. Informationen über Ganzzüge benötigen daher das gleiche Schutzniveau wie die Daten einzelner Wagen. Andernfalls halten wir es für möglich, dass das Ziel der Initiative, die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Eisenbahn zu stärken, verfehlt wird und es zu einer Verlagerung von Verkehren von der Schiene auf die Straße kommt.
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Meeting with Hildegard Bentele (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and EuropaBio and

27 Feb 2025 · Biotech

Meeting with Andreas Glück (Member of the European Parliament)

13 Feb 2025 · Climate and Energy Policy

Meeting with Hildegard Bentele (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Von Beust & Coll. Beratungsges. mbH & Co KG

6 Feb 2025 · Surface water and groundwater pollutants

Meeting with Oliver Schenk (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Jan 2025 · Chemical industry in the EU

Meeting with Christine Schneider (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Jan 2025 · De-bureaucratisation

Meeting with Peter Liese (Member of the European Parliament)

13 Jan 2025 · Chemical Policy

VCI urges ETS incentives for green fuel transition

8 Jan 2025
Topic — This consultation updates rules for adjusting free emission allowance allocations based on activity level changes.
Message — The VCI requests restoring Article 6(1) to maintain free allocations when switching to sustainable fuels. This creates a necessary economic incentive to offset the higher costs of alternative energy forms.12
Why — Chemical companies would receive financial support to cover the premium costs of low-carbon fuel transitions.3
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Meeting with Alexandra Mehnert (Member of the European Parliament)

4 Dec 2024 · Deregulation, Debureaucratization and Competitiveness of Chemical Industries

Meeting with Andreas Glück (Member of the European Parliament)

21 Nov 2024 · Climate and Energy Policy

Meeting with Michael Hager (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis)

20 Nov 2024 · Competitiveness Green deal

Meeting with Jutta Paulus (Member of the European Parliament)

16 Oct 2024 · Verband der Chemischen Industrie

Response to Commission Roadmap to phase out animal testing

14 Oct 2024

VCI is clearly committed to the goal of reducing animal testing and use alternative methods wherever this is scientifically possible and feasible and where these methods/approaches have reached regulatory acceptance. We fully support the ongoing activities and the roadmap to phase out animal testing. However, we still see limitations and challenges that call for further expert/technical/regulatory exchange. We identified the following necessary measures, and proposals for solutions. ACCELERATE THE VALIDATION OF NAMs AND CLEARLY DEFINE THE SCOPE OF APPLICATION - Individual NAMs and Defined Approaches (DAs) need to be validated. Ideally, this should be done at OECD level. In this process the applicability domain of the different NAMs must be taken into account more strongly, especially for difficult to test substances. - Further NAMs need to be developed and established, e. g. for complex endpoints or combinations of NAMs. - The validation of NAMs should be accelerated or the process revised, respectively. Prioritisation would be needed for the aspect of acceleration. - Irrespective of ambitious timelines (e. g. within the EU Chemicals Strategy), the expert/technical discourse must not be neglected. All stakeholders should be involved for this purpose as there must be a general agreement on the acceptance of NAMs. DEVELOP AND UPDATE GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS - Technical guidance documents and DAs for applying NAMs and for the assessment of (eco-) toxicological endpoints need to be developed for users (industry, CROs etc). - Existing guidance documents on the regulatory assessment of chemicals under global regulatory legislations need to be adapted and new ones compiled e.g. in the context of new hazard classes ( CLP) and new information requirements (REACH). IMPROVE REGULATORY ACCEPTANCE - Regulatory acceptance should be independent of the result, i. e. both adverse and non adverse evidence must be accepted without demanding further data or animal studies. - The development of DAs for specific end points is essential for the use and interpretation of NAMs. - The lack of guidance on harmonised interpretation and its use in practice renders the application and acceptance of NAMs more difficult in the chemical industry and at authorities. In order to strengthen confidence in NAMs and Integrated Approaches to Testing and Assessment (IATAs), an exchange on case studies between industry, public authorities, academia and NGOs could make a possible building block. - With a view to avoiding/reducing animal studies for complex endpoints already now, the application of NAMs in the forms of read across, grouping and waiver approaches should gain in importance as well as better acceptance by public authorities. - The MAD (Mutual Acceptance of Data) concept should be applied for reliable planning. Overall, international acceptance is crucial for the success of animal-free methods in regulatory applications. This should also be taken into account in the development of the European roadmap. GENERAL COMMENT: The exclusive use of currently available NAMs cannot replace the existing system under REACH. A new paradigm to chemical regulation must be developed and implemented, e.g. in the form of a NGRA. The initiative states that the move towards animal-free methods has the potential to lower costs. Regarding the in vitro test batteries for e.g. skin sensitization or developmental neurotoxicity this general assumption is questionable. It should be clear that this paradigm shift is not necessarily cheaper and or likely to speed up the assessment of chemicals. We also want to add, that expertise needs to be developed as well, at CROs, at industry, especially SMEs. A more detailed VCI position can be found at: https://www.vci.de/ergaenzende-downloads/vci-positionspapier-nams-englisch-231013.pdf
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Meeting with Hildegard Bentele (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and European Chemical Industry Council

14 Oct 2024 · Surface water and groundwater pollutants

Meeting with Andreas Glück (Member of the European Parliament) and The Smoke Free Partnership

8 Oct 2024 · Health

Meeting with Jens Geier (Member of the European Parliament)

26 Sept 2024 · Exchange on current EU policies on chemicals

Meeting with Christine Singer (Member of the European Parliament) and EPIA SolarPower Europe

5 Sept 2024 · Austausch neue Legislaturperiode

Meeting with Stefan Köhler (Member of the European Parliament)

29 Aug 2024 · Politischer Austausch

Response to Revision of the EU explosives precursors legislation

19 Aug 2024

Ziel der Verordnung (EU) 2019/1148 ist die Begrenzung des Zugangs der Mitglieder der Allgemeinheit zu Ausgangsstoffen für Explosivstoffe. So soll verhindert werden, dass kriminelle Akteure diese Stoffe erwerben, um Explosivstoffe herstellen und für Anschläge nutzen zu können. Der VCI unterstützt das Ziel der Kommission, der Bedrohung durch terroristische Anschläge mit Chemikalien entgegenzuwirken und das Risiko zu minimieren. Die chemische Industrie engagiert sich seit langem für die friedliche, legale Nutzung chemischer Stoffe, die für die Prozesse der Industrie und ihrer Kunden unverzichtbar sind. Dem illegalen Missbrauch von Chemikalien stellen wir uns entschieden entgegen. Durch Sensibilisierung, Umsetzung bestehender Vorschriften und Kooperation mit den Behörden tragen Chemie- und Pharmaunternehmen täglich zu Prävention und Aufklärung bei. Vor diesem Hintergrund bringt sich der VCI auf Basis der Kenntnisse seiner Mitglieder gerne konstruktiv und praxisbezogen in den Evaluierungsprozess ein. Unsere Stellungnahme im Rahmen der Sondierung zur Evaluierung der VO (EU) 2019/1148 finden Sie beigefügt.
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VCI urges better carbon capture recognition in EU emissio n s rules

28 Jul 2024
Topic — Updating monitoring and reporting rules for greenhouse gas emissio n s under the ETS.
Message — The VCI requests broader recognition of Carbon Capture and Utilizatio n technologies to prevent double counting. They advocate for regulatory coherence across directives to ensure an orderly implementatio n.123
Why — The se changes woul d reduce administrative burde n s and grant financial recognitio n for carbon-capturing.45
Impact — Waste inci n e ratio n operator s may face higher cost s if incl u d e d in the syste m.6
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Meeting with Jens Geier (Member of the European Parliament)

22 Jul 2024 · Exchange on Expectations on the new European Parliament and EU Commission (EU Industry Policy, Global Trade, Green Deal, Energy Policy, chemical policy)

Response to Permanent storage of EU ETS emissions through carbon capture and utilisation

12 Jul 2024

Rechtsakt löst bestehende Probleme bei Anerkennung von CCU nicht Der vorgelegte delegierte Rechtsakt löst die bestehenden Hemmnisse bei der Förderung und Incentivierung von CCU nicht. CO2 wird ein zukünftiger Rohstoff sein und damit dazu beitragen, fossile Rohstoffe ersetzen. Eine pragmatischere Regelung würde der chemischen Industrie die Entwicklung von CCU-Prozessen und den Einsatz von CO2 in der Wertschöpfungskette ermöglichen. Dem VCI ist bewusst, dass dieser delegierte Rechtsakt nach Artikel 12 3b der EU-ETS-Richtlinie die bestehende Diskriminierung von CCU im Vergleich zu CCS nicht heilen kann. Denn bereits der Basisrechtsakt (EU-Emissionshandels-Richtlinie) sieht nach jetzigem Stand vor, dass CCU-Produkte nur dann eine Anerkennung im EU-ETS erhalten, wenn der Kohlenstoff permanent gebunden ist und es ausgeschlossen ist, dass am Lebensende des CCU-Produktes Treibhausgasemissionen in die Atmosphäre entweichen. Aus Sicht des VCI muss daher die EU-Emissionshandelsrichtlinie in diesem Punkt geändert werden. Incentivierung von CCU nötig, um Kreislaufwirtschaft des Kohlenstoffs zu ermöglichen Das Instrument des EU-Emissionshandel sollte genutzt werden, um CCU zu fördern. Im falle von CCS geschieht dies bereits seit 2013 über die Befreiung von der Abgabenpflicht von Emissionshandelszertifikaten für Treibhausgasmengen, die nicht emittiert, sondern geologisch dauerhaft gespeichert werden. Eine vergleichbare Förderung von CCU fehlt bislang und der bestehende Wortlaut von Artikel 12 (3b) der EU-Emissionshandelsrichtlinie steht dem im Wege. Es ist zentral, dass auch die vermiedene Emission durch temporäre Speicherung von CO2 in CCU-Produkten zukünftig anerkannt wird und eine Verbrennung am Lebensende des CCU-Produktes kein Ausschlusskriterium darstellt. Denn die Produkte der chemischen Industrie speichern den Kohlenstoff temporär. Der Ausschluss dieser Speicherform von der Incentivierung verhindert CCU in der Chemieindustrie. Weitere Informationen dazu finden sich im beigefügten VCI-Positionspapier zu CCU. Die Formulierung "dauerhaft chemisch gebunden" in Artikel 3 Absatz 1 des Entwurfs des delegierten Rechtsakts müsste in dem Sinne ausgelegt werden, dass die chemische Bindung die Grundlage für die Annahme einer dauerhaften Entnahme des CO aus der Atmosphäre bildet. Die Anforderung, dass Produkte mindestens mehrere Jahrhunderte lang keine Emissionen verursachen dürfen, schränkt die Möglichkeit von CCU-Produkten, unter diesen delegierten Rechtsakt zu fallen, zu stark ein und negiert den Klimaschutzbeitrag temporärer Speicherung. Allerdings sieht der Basisrechtsakt diese Anforderung bereits vor. In Artikel 3 Absatz 1 Buchstabe b des Entwurfs des delegierten Rechtsakts auf die Notwendigkeit verwiesen, alle Pfade (all pathways) zu bewerten, wenn ein Produkt mehrere normale Verwendungspfade und Pfade am Ende des Lebenszyklus aufweist. Der Text schafft eine komplexe Bewertungssituation, da vorgelagerte Produkte in der Regel vielfältigere Pfade aufweisen als nachgelagerte Produkte. Alternativ könnte jeder relevante Pfad statt alle Pfade berücksichtigt werden. Echte Problemlösung verlangt Änderung der EU-ETS-Richtlinie Ein echter game changer kann nur eine Novelle der EU-ETS-Richtlinie in diesem Punkt bringen. Diese wird nach derzeitiger Abschätzung erst mit dem Bericht der Kommission nach Artikel 30 der EU-ETS-Richtline möglich werden. Dieser Bericht muss bis zum 31.07.2026 vorliegen und kann von einem Legislativakt und einer Folgenabschätzung begleitet werden.
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Meeting with Michael Hager (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis)

11 Jul 2024 · Competitiveness, energy

Meeting with Jens Gieseke (Member of the European Parliament)

10 Jul 2024 · Austausch zu Umweltpolitik

Meeting with Jens Geier (Member of the European Parliament)

9 Jul 2024 · Exchange on Expectations on the new European Parliament and EU Commission ( EU Industry Policy, Global Trade, Green Deal, Chemical Policy)

Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament) and BASF SE

9 Jul 2024 · Industrial policy

Response to White Paper on Dual-Use Export Controls

30 Apr 2024

VCI, the German Chemical Industry Association, has discussed the White Paper on Export Controls with its members, as the sector we are representing is a global actor with sites all over the world. In brief: VCI welcomes the analysis of the most recent developments and challenges in todays regulatory framework of the European Union. The economic security debate should aim, inter alia, to create effective, efficient and EU-harmonised export control rules. Relying on the expert knowledge of its member companies, who have many years of experience in the implementation of existing export control regimes and rules, VCI stands ready to make constructive and practicable contributions to the discussion. Please find our response to the consultation attached.
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Response to Options for support for R&D of dual-use technologies

29 Apr 2024

The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI), in line with BDI, acknowledges the initiative of the European Commission for a more effective promotion of dual-use technologies. VCI appreciates the term research and development involving technologies with dual-use potential. This ensures a clear distinction from the very important term "dual-use research of concern" and the measures associated with it. We reject a dual use flagging mechanism for any kind of technology. Dual use depends on the intended type of use and the will of the actor, whether an innovation is used for beneficial or harmful purposes. One step in the right direction is to raise awareness of this issue in all areas of research. For more information please see our statement attached.
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Meeting with Michael Hager (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis)

23 Apr 2024 · European Green Deal and competitiveness

Meeting with Jens Geier (Member of the European Parliament)

23 Apr 2024 · Exchange on chemical recycling

Response to Recommendation to monitor outbound investments for further risk assessment

17 Apr 2024

VCI, the German Chemical Industry Association, has discussed the White Paper of Outbound Investment with its members, as the sector we are representing is a global actor with sites all over the world. In brief: Our sector does not see the necessity of introducing new control tools. The analysis of risks to economic security is necessary, but needs to be done in close cooperation between authorities and business. As main drivers to increase economic security, we ask for the strengthening of locational conditions in the EU and increased political efforts to support diversification. Please find a more detailled statement on our considerations about "outbound investment" in our views paper attached.
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Meeting with Peter Liese (Member of the European Parliament) and Dow Europe GmbH and EVONIK INDUSTRIES AG

16 Apr 2024 · Various

Meeting with Andreas Glück (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Apr 2024 · Chemical Recycling

Response to Evaluation of the National Emission reduction Commitments Directive

13 Mar 2024

The VCI represents the politico-economic interests of around 1,700 German chemical companies and German subsidiaries of foreign businesses.In general, the VCI welcomes investigating the potential for improving the existing NERC directive and its implementation with focus on enhancing the European level-playing field with pragmatic solutions for the EU in regards to clean air. please find attached our position.
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Meeting with Rasmus Andresen (Member of the European Parliament) and Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie e.V. and

5 Mar 2024 · socio economic situation

Meeting with Daniel Freund (Member of the European Parliament) and Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie e.V. and

5 Mar 2024 · Exchange with economic associations

Meeting with Peter Liese (Member of the European Parliament)

22 Feb 2024 · Austausch zu verschiedenen Themen

Meeting with Margrethe Vestager (Executive Vice-President) and

14 Feb 2024 · EU competitiveness in particular chemical industry

Meeting with Tiemo Wölken (Member of the European Parliament) and Industriegewerkschaft Bergbau, Chemie, Energie

14 Feb 2024 · Allgemeiner Austausch

Meeting with Karsten Lucke (Member of the European Parliament) and Industriegewerkschaft Bergbau, Chemie, Energie

14 Feb 2024 · Chemische Industrie

Meeting with Petra Kammerevert (Member of the European Parliament)

14 Feb 2024 · Austausch zu allgemeinen Themen

German Chemical Industry Urges Changes to EU Data Platform Proposal

12 Feb 2024
Topic — EU regulation establishing a common data platform for chemical substance information and testing.
Message — The organization requests industry consultation before implementation decisions, cross-checks with industry expertise on data generation mechanisms, and significant modifications to study notification requirements. They argue the notification obligations lack clarity and proportionality.123
Why — This would reduce administrative burdens and preserve competitive advantages over non-EU companies.45
Impact — Regulators and public health advocates lose transparency into industry testing activities and chemical safety data.6
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Meeting with Christine Schneider (Member of the European Parliament)

31 Jan 2024 · NGT

Response to Revision of the definition of engineered nanomaterial in food

11 Jan 2024

The Expert Group Food Additives of the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) represents the manufacturers of special food ingredients in Germany. We welcome the opportunity to comment on the European Commission's draft delegated regulation amending Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 with regard to the definition of "engineered nanomaterials". Please find attached our detailed contribution.
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Response to Extension of the review programme of existing biocidal active substances

18 Dec 2023

The VCI recognises the need to extend the review programme for existing active substances as it is obvious that a finalisation in the foreseen time is not possible. Nevertheless, from our point of view the fair and pragmatic finalisation of the review programme is one of the most central elements of BPR to fulfil the aims of the regulation namely the improvement of the functioning of the internal market through the harmonisation of the rules on the making available on the market and the use of biocidal products, whilst ensuring a high level of protection of both human and animal health and the environment. Just setting a new deadline does not solve the underlying issue but should be accompanied by an acceleration of the evaluation taking into account the original aims and context of timelines under BPR. Improving focus evaluation without new guidance: The application of new guidance and the discussion on further new guidance must be stopped. This focus would promote a level playing field while allowing authorities to concentrate on evaluation. We doubt that in the end the application of new guidance for a part of the approvals (and biocidal product authorisations) is more beneficial than the application of older approaches to all of them. We recognise that certain topics need to be discussed and new developments should be considered. However, we are in favour to postpone new or more detailed requirements to a later stage (to the renewal) when all active substances have passed the initial process. Besides, authoritys capacities are an important issue. Not only the evaluation in context with the approval of existing active substances under the Review Programme needs to be done. The number of applications for biocidal product authorisation will further increase with the number of active substances approved. In addition to that, innovation only is supported, when new products may be placed on the market. Refinements in formulations, that may theoretically be implemented by changes of valid authorisations must be reflected in an easy and feasible possibility in practice. Granting level playing field: We observe that market distortion is more and more increasing. For the same use, there are products that are legally on the market but have never gone through the BPR evaluation process side by side with products that are already in the authorisation process for the second time. Thus, the burden on companies in terms of time and costs is very unequal. Considerations of hard stops in certain cases for comparable substances or products in cases where applicants have little or no influence on is not fair and cannot be justified. Considering data protection: According to BPR, Article 95(5), the data protection periods for existing active substances will end on 31 December 2025 at the latest. Any further considerations must take into account that data which were not part of the original dossier should be protected beyond that date. A fair and appropriate approach must be found, which also includes appropriate cost sharing for new studies on existing active substances. For more detailed information, please see the "VCI Position: Biocides - Extension of the Review Programme beyond 2024" available under https://www.vci.de/themen/chemikaliensicherheit/biozide/abschluss-des-review-programms-ist-fuer-die-umsetzung-der-bpr-von-zentraler-bedeutung-biozide.jsp The VCI and its sector associations represent the interests of around 1,900 companies from the chemical-pharmaceutical industry and related sectors vis-à-vis politicians, public authorities, other industries, science and media. In 2022, the VCI member companies realized sales of ca. 260 billion euros and employed nearly 550,000 staff.
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Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament) and European Chemical Industry Council and BASF SE

29 Nov 2023 · REACH, NZIA

German chemical industry urges streamlining of burdensome EU reporting requirements

27 Nov 2023
Topic — The consultation seeks to reduce corporate reporting requirements in EU legislation by 25%.
Message — The industry calls for streamlining sustainability reporting and limiting supply chain checks to direct suppliers. They advocate for eliminating double reporting through better coordination between authorities.123
Why — This would lower administrative costs and prevent a competitive disadvantage against global rivals.45
Impact — Civil society groups lose oversight of environmental and human rights risks beyond direct suppliers.6
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German chemical association warns against pharmaceutical data protection cuts

7 Nov 2023
Topic — The European Commission is revising pharmaceutical laws to improve medicine access and affordability.
Message — VCI urges the EU to maintain current data exclusivity periods to protect innovation. They also oppose using environmental assessments as the sole reason to reject medicines. Finally, reporting requirements for shortages should only apply to critical medications.123
Why — Retaining current protection periods ensures longer market exclusivity and higher returns on investment.4
Impact — Environmental health suffers if medicines are approved despite failing rigorous ecological impact assessments.5
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VCI warns EU pharma reform threatens investment and innovation

7 Nov 2023
Topic — Revision of the European Union's general pharmaceutical legal framework and regulations.
Message — VCI opposes reducing data exclusivity periods to protect research and development achievements. They reject using environmental risk assessments as the sole reason for denying medicine approvals. The association requests limiting shortage prevention plans strictly to previously identified critical medicines.123
Why — Avoiding the reduction in data exclusivity periods maintains investment security for manufacturers.4
Impact — Environmental safety and public health might suffer if environmental risk assessments are weakened.5
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Response to Revision of the Union Customs Code

7 Nov 2023

Der Verband der Chemischen Industrie (VCI) bedankt sich für die Möglichkeit zu dem Verordnungsentwurf der Europäischen Kommission zur Überarbeitung des Zollkodex der Union Stellung nehmen zu können. Die Stellungnahme des VCI finden Sie beigefügt.
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German biotech industry urges scientific update to NGT rules

3 Nov 2023
Topic — New EU rules for plants developed using targeted mutagenesis and cisgenesis.
Message — The association requests updating NGT classification criteria to correspond with the most recent scientific knowledge. They also seek to address classification challenges for international imports.12
Why — This would prevent the migration of biotechnology innovation and research outside of the EU.3
Impact — European importers and international trade partners face challenges due to inconsistent classification criteria.4
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Response to Revision of the Toy Safety Directive

31 Oct 2023

The German chemical industry (VCI) would like to comment on the proposed Regulation regarding Article 3 (36) and Article 17 on topics overlapping with ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation): In principle, we welcome that there is or should be uniform definitions across different legislations on Substances of Concern and on Digital Product Passports across legislations, however, we see fundamental design errors in the current proposals. 1) The Toy Safety Regulation is intended to cover safety-related aspects, whereas the ESPR focuses primarily on the sustainability of products. Due to the different objectives of these two legislations using the same definition of "substances of concern" is neither appropriate nor purposeful. There must be a clear differentiation on the scope of the Toys Regulation and the ESPR, especially part c) of the definition under ESPR article 2, 28 defining a Substance of Concern as any substance that negatively affects the re-use and recycling of materials in the product in which it is present does not fit to the safety context of the Toy Safety Regulation and cannot be used without further adaptations. Due to exposure considerations and the fact that the regulation is focusing on a vulnerable group, we support the inclusion of the hazard classes mentioned into the TSR. Anyway, as for endocrine disruptors as such, the regulatory setting is not yet fixed, neither under REACH nor under CLP, we suggest focusing on known or presumed endocrine disruptors (Category 1) only and leave the Cat. 2 out for the time being. 2) Possible double regulation or different product passports: Article 17 of the Toy Safety Regulation refers to a so-called "product passport". However, toys will also be covered by the ESPR in the future, so that a digital product passport (in the sense of the ESPR) will also be required for toys. Ambiguous terminology should be avoided because it would not only lead to legislative uncertainty but would also cause confusion among the different actors in the supply chain which would be in stark contrast to the purpose of the product passport. 3) Definition of substances of concern: The definition of substances of concern has not yet been finalised in the ESPR. Currently, the regulation is in trilogue. Therefore, no reference to the ESPR should be made before the legislative process on the ESPR has been finalized. At this state, it is unclear whether the proposals will introduce two different product passports for which different content may need to be provided. Questions arise regarding: a. compatibility of the passports b. standardised data sets to ensure interoperability both within the value chain and between different sectors c. ensuring data security d. ensuring compliance with other legislation and standards e. avoiding duplication of regulations - especially for ingredients: Substances of Concern are also to be named in the toy passport - so far without threshold values. Very low concentrations would therefore also have to be listed here (trace substances). A workable threshold is necessary for control and enforcement. Please see also our main points to achieve workable Digital Product Passports in the attachment.
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Meeting with Maria Noichl (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur for opinion) and Industrieverband Agrar e.V.

24 Oct 2023 · Soil health

Meeting with Norbert Lins (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair)

11 Oct 2023 · SUR

German Chemical Industry Urges Risk-Based Soil Health Criteria

14 Sept 2023
Topic — This regulation aims to define, monitor, and restore healthy soils across Europe.
Message — VCI requests clear soil health criteria and land-use-specific assessment values. They oppose certification and trigger events that contradict a risk-based approach. Groundwater monitoring should be removed to prevent double regulation.123
Why — Industry avoids redundant reporting costs and benefits from flexible brownfield requirements.45
Impact — Water protection agencies and environmental groups lose comprehensive groundwater quality data.6
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Meeting with Tiemo Wölken (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Bundesverband der Pharmazeutischen Industrie e.V.

13 Sept 2023 · SPC and Compulsory Licensing

Meeting with Tiemo Wölken (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations and

7 Sept 2023 · Revision of the Pharmaceutical Legislation (staff level)

VCI calls for streamlined EU ETS reporting and waste exemptions

22 Aug 2023
Topic — The consultation updates monitoring and reporting rules for the revised EU emissions trading system.
Message — VCI requests consistency between national and European systems to reduce administrative burdens. They want hazardous waste incineration excluded from reporting rules and suggest standardizing waste categories.123
Why — Aligning rules with existing national schemes would significantly lower corporate compliance costs.4
Impact — Environmental monitors might receive less detailed data if waste reporting is simplified.5
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German chemical industry seeks flexibility in climate plan rules

16 Aug 2023
Topic — New minimum requirements for the content of climate-neutrality plans under the EU ETS.
Message — VCI demands that targets relate only to measures rather than absolute emission reductions. They also propose excluding Covid-era data from historical emission calculations to ensure accuracy.12
Why — This would prevent companies from being held accountable for external factors like energy infrastructure availability.34
Impact — Environmental regulators may lose access to long-term, quantifiable data on industrial decarbonization pathways.56
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Response to Environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings and sustainability risks in credit ratings

11 Aug 2023

ESG ratings have become established on the capital market, which make it their business to evaluate the sustainability performance of companies. The ratings often form the basis for investment decisions by sustainability-oriented investors to select suitable securities. In addition, the ESG ratings are used as a basis for compiling company values for sustainability indices. In this context, ratings are of vital importance in assessing performance against the backdrop of the increasing importance of the sustainable capital market. A look at the figures of the sustainable capital market illustrates the increasing relevance: According to the Global Sustainable Investment Alliance (GSIA), the market volume of sustainable capital investments amounted to 35.3 trillion US dollars in 2020, which means a growth of almost 55 percent based on 2016. In addition, ESG ratings can help to increase the sustainability performance of companies by showing in which areas there is room for improvement and where a company should be ranked in comparison to its competitors. In principle, the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) supports the EU Commission's plan to make ESG ratings more transparent with the help of minimum requirements and to make them easier to use for important stakeholders. In this context, we welcome the broad scope of the proposed regulation with its minimum requirements. From our point of view, it makes sense to comprehensively improve the reliability of the rating market around ESG, also because it leads to a relief for companies if the broadest possible selection of rating agencies is subject to the requirements. We would like to support the development of high-quality standards by contributing the practical knowledge of the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. To this end, we have outlined attached what we consider to be the key aspects for future regulation.
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Response to Environmental claims based on environmental footprint methods

20 Jul 2023

The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) is committed to bringing products to market that are both safe and have lower burdens on the environment. Therefore, the VCI welcomes as a matter of principle the EU Commissions approach to create more transparency in the business-to-consumer sector. However, we still see a need for improvement to the draft directive in its current form. Hazardous substances and sustainability of products are not mutually exclusive The use of hazardous substances (in a bound state in end products or in production processes but no longer present in the end product) does not necessarily mean a poorer environmental performance. Quite the contrary, it is often the reactive substance that achieves the desired effect in the product at a later stage. For this reason, we recommend deleting Article 21 (3b) from the proposal. According to this provision, an evaluation is to be made five years after entry into force of the directive that comes with a possible ban of environmental claims for products containing hazardous substances. Article 21 (3b) in its current form causes obstances to innovation in the medium term, which counteracts the goal of the EU Green Deal. Climate neutrality can only be brought about through innovations, for which the entire toolbox of chemistry must be available. Environmental claims should be substantiated in a manner that is appropriate and of good informative value while using methods in a flexible way It is important that the assessment methods are adapted to the respective environmental claims and the products advertised. Therefore, we welcome the freedom of choice to use internationally recognised methods for calculating life cycle assessments. It must be allowed to use methods and standards flexibly so that the purpose of this initiative can be truly fulfilled. This requires a multi-criteria approach to be able to adequately assess different ecological aspects. Orientation to international standards and roadmap to further develop the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) In order to further establish the PEF approach, we recommend that the Commission should develop a roadmap for revising the PEF. In particular, the recognition of the benefits of using non-fossil feedstocks that are run in cycles such as those from recycled plastic-containing waste, renewables (certified primary biomass, biomass-based residues and waste materials, secondary biomass, ) as well as the use of CO2 (carbon capture and utilisation) must be safeguarded for the future. In general, there must be full ISO compliance with relevant standards for calculation and reporting/communication. The gap is particularly large for chemical recycling and the use of renewables. For example, according to ISO 14067 it must be ensured that also the share of certified biomass used can be taken into account regarding its carbon reduction. Only then can the sustainability benefits of using bio- and waste-based raw materials in highly efficient, integrated chemical production be demonstrated. Set reasonable transition periods Member states must transpose the future law into national law within 18 months of its entry into force (Article 25). The new rules are to apply 24 months after entry into force, i.e. the member states may only have six months to commission sufficient certification bodies. This transition period is not realistically feasible for manufacturers or certifiers due to the heavy administrative burden for all parties involved (companies, verification bodies, national authorities). It is necessary to grant a much longer transition regime for environment advertising claims on the packaging of products that are already on the market at the moment in time when the new rules come into effect. It must be excluded that such products need to be removed from the shelves in trade or warehouses and destroyed just due to a lack of verification. Please see attached file for further information.
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Response to Unitary Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPC) – creation and granting procedure

18 Jul 2023

Please note the attached PDF statement of the VCI
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Response to Compulsory licensing of patents

18 Jul 2023

Please note the attached PDF statement of the VCI.
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German chemical industry demands unbureaucratic carbon border reporting rules

11 Jul 2023
Topic — New reporting requirements for importers during the transition to a carbon border tax.
Message — The VCI calls for official guidelines and training to help firms handle new data collection duties. They urge the Commission to limit bureaucracy and monitor how costs affect supply chains.123
Why — Streamlined processes would lower compliance costs and help avoid supply chain bottlenecks.45
Impact — Downstream industries may face higher material costs and limited access to essential supplies.6
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German Chemical Industry Urges Limited Sustainability Reporting Scope

5 Jul 2023
Topic — A consultation on new European sustainability reporting standards for large companies.
Message — The VCI requests maintaining the materiality principle to ensure companies only report relevant information. They call for an indispensable phase-in period for complex data regarding the value chain. Finally, they suggest replacing quantitative indicators with qualitative descriptions when data is not robust.1234
Why — This would lower compliance costs and protect sensitive trade secrets from global competitors.56
Impact — Transparency advocates lose access to detailed, comparable data on specific pollutants and production volumes.78
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Meeting with Christine Schneider (Member of the European Parliament)

3 Jul 2023 · CLP

Response to European Critical Raw Materials Act

30 Jun 2023

The VCI supports the European Commissions proposal establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials (Critical Raw Materials Act, CRM Act; COM(2023) 160). We highly appreciate inclusion of strategic raw materials into a regulatory framework. Quantifiable objectives on Union extraction, processing, and recycling capacities offer planning and investment security. However, a successful CRM Act needs some adoptions, which we want to address to in a combination with practical examples from the perspective of the chemical-pharmaceutical industry in Germany (please, consider the attachment).
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Response to Net Zero Industry Act

26 Jun 2023

The Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) has good intentions, but it is not a gamechanger for the EU in the competition of locations. Faster, more innovation-friendly this sounds good. But not enough attention is given to industry as such. Regarding net-zero technologies (NZT) only, chemicals are essential to green technologies, e.g. for wind farms, photovoltaics, electric drives or future-oriented bio-based products. Chemical capacities in the EU must grow to meet the emerging demand and contribute to reducing emissions. Three approaches seem suitable: - The NZIA needs to be supplemented by a comprehensive industry approach or at least by a materials-related industrial policy approach. - The technology scope of the NZIA must be expanded to include transformative technologies to decarbonise chemistry such as CCU or the development of bio-based raw materials (see below). - Value chains must become part of the NZIA scope in an uncomplicated and non-bureaucratic way via an open approach. Faster processes are better for all: Maximum durations of procedures and "one-stop shops" are useful approaches. However, all industrial projects should benefit from a holistic approach. All regulatory projects as well as their implementation (e.g. the EU IED) must be considered for their impact on permitting. For a genuine acceleration of permitting procedures up to the granting of a permit, it should be worked with fictitious permits, advance checks and implementation measures. The arbitrary selectivity of the NZIA initially reduces planning and legal security, especially for suppliers of components and materials, since permitting their projects is likely to have a lower priority. As regards to speed as well as legal and planning security, it would be purposeful for supervisory authorities to see themselves more as partners and advisors in dialogue with the companies to be monitored. More freedom for innovation as a rule, not as exception: It is positive that the Commission wants to create experimental spaces for innovation. It is too early for us to assess to what extent "regulatory sandboxes" are the best tool. Driving forward the transformation must not result in isolated technological solutions. We need technology-open support for all areas of technology development; the goal must be to build competitive industrial and innovation ecosystems. These positive elements of the NZIA should be transferred to the scope of other legislative acts, e.g. to the TCTF, the Sustainable Carbon Certification Framework for circular economy technologies, or Articles 10 and 13 of the Taxonomy. In addition, to be a real step forward, the NZIA is lacking the following elements: - The NZIA does not have a trade policy pillar. It should be built on an offensive trade agenda (WTO reform, bilateral agreements, ) - not selectively for NZT, but comprehensively for the entire economy. - For a successful transformation, private investments and funds are crucial. But since transformative processes are more expensive, public support programmes make sense. Mobilisation, easier access and reallocation of unused money from existing programmes (TCTF, RePowerEU, IPCEI, Innovation Fund, Horizon Europe ...) are key. A successful transformation requires support for OPEX. - In view of the uncertain and tense situation in energy markets, industry needs access to competitive energy prices. To be able to counter the lower electricity prices in other regions of the world, it is necessary to introduce an effective industrial or bridge electricity price. - The IRA is the mirror that the US holds up to the Green Deal. The EU should review and refocus the Green Deal and its manifold regulatory projects. This is not about abandoning the Green Deal - it is about reviewing the target system, reviewing the cumulative impact of measures and putting a Green Deal 2.0 on a new footing so that it reconciles sustainability, innovation and competitiveness.
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German Chemical Industry Demands Support Before Accepting 2040 Climate Target

23 Jun 2023
Topic — EU Commission's proposal to establish a 2040 climate target toward 2050 neutrality.
Message — The industry requests that the 2040 climate target must be accompanied by supporting measures including affordable green electricity and hydrogen, competitive industrial electricity prices, rapid energy infrastructure expansion, and adequate funding instruments like climate protection contracts. They emphasize that transformation cannot follow a linear path due to technology development timelines and non-competitive costs.123
Why — This would maintain their cost competitiveness against global producers using cheaper fossil feedstocks.45
Impact — Climate protection loses momentum as industry demands delay harmonization with weaker global standards.67
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Meeting with Jens Geier (Member of the European Parliament)

15 Jun 2023 · Exchange on packaging and packaging waste (staff level)

Response to Revision of the EU drug precursors legislation

7 Jun 2023

Die deutsche chemisch-pharmazeutische Industrie unterstützt das EU-Grundstoffrecht sowie seine Umsetzung und hält den aktuellen Rechtsrahmen insgesamt für angemessen, auch wenn im Einzelnen Optimierungsbedarf besteht. Unsere Mitgliedsunternehmen kommen ihrer Verantwortung seit 1991 im Rahmen einer nationalen Vereinbarung über freiwillige Maßnahmen proaktiv und gewissenhaft nach. Diese freiwilligen Maßnahmen sind bis heute ein wirksames Instrument, an dem wir uneingeschränkt festhalten. Vor diesem Hintergrund möchte der VCI im Folgenden einige Aspekte hervorheben, die aus VCI-Sicht bei der Revision des EU-Grundstoffrechts dringend berücksichtigt werden sollten: 1/ Erhöhung der Effizienz des Kontroll- & Überwachungssystems Wir begrüßen das Ziel der Verringerung des Verwaltungsaufwands. Es bedarf aus VCI-Sicht eines vollumfänglichen elektronischen Antrags- und Kommunikationswesens unter Nutzung elektronischer Schnittstellen sowohl zum Antragsteller als auch zu den Zollbehörden. Dies bedeutet auch den Verzicht auf jegliche Originaldokumente in Papierform bei der Warenbewegung und dem Transport z.B. im Rahmen der Import- und Exportabwicklung. Kohärenz mit anderen Rechtsbereichen und parallellaufenden Revisionen, wie z.B. des Unionszollkodex, bei der Ausgestaltung der Kontroll- und Überwachungsmaßnahmen für einzelne gelistete Chemikalien ist essenziell, um ggf. mit Vereinheitlichungsmaßnahmen den Mehraufwand für die betroffenen Unternehmen zu reduzieren und eine zielgerichtete, effiziente Umsetzung zu ermöglichen. 2/ EU-weit harmonisierte Anwendung & Durchsetzung des EU-Grundstoffrechts Ein fairer und effektiver Vollzug kann zudem nur funktionieren, wenn alle Wirtschaftsbeteiligten, auch Vermittler wie Online-Marktplätze, in das Kontroll- und Überwachungssystem einbezogen werden. Hier sind aus VCI-Sicht konkrete Schritte erforderlich. Weiterhin ist eine Zusammenführung der beiden aktuell geltenden Verordnungen in einem konsolidierten Regelwerk sachdienlich und würde zur Harmonisierung der Durchführung und des Vollzugs beitragen. 3/ Anpassung der Vorschriften an aktuelle Entwicklungen Das Verfahren zur Aufnahme neuer Designer-Ausgangsstoffe in das EU-Grundstoffrecht sollte deutlich beschleunigt werden. Hierfür bedarf es speziell zugeschnittener Maßnahmen der staatlichen Grenzüberwachungs- und -sicherungsbehörden an den EU-Außengrenzen. Große Bedenken bestehen hingegen gegenüber der Aufnahme ganzer Stoff-Familien in die Verordnungsanhänge. Unternehmen und zuständige Vollzugsbehörden müssen für die Umsetzung der Vorschriften in der Lage sein, die relevanten Stoffe eindeutig und zweifelsfrei zu identifizieren. Rechtssicherheit besteht nur, wenn Stoffe anhand einer CAS- und KN-Nummer im Verordnungstext individuell gekennzeichnet sind. Wir lehnen einen solchen Vorstoß daher ab. Eine Voraussetzung effektiver Kontrollen an den Außengrenzen gerade in Bezug auf Designer-Ausgangsstoffe ist die Ausstattung der zuständigen Behörden mit notwendigen Analysemethoden und -ausrüstung, die ihnen erlaubt, Drogenausgangsstoffe zu identifizieren. Ein Vollzug kann nur gewährleistet werden, wenn die zuständigen Behörden EU-weit auf den neuesten Technikstand gebracht werden. 4/ Fazit Die in Deutschland und in der EU praktizierte freiwillige Zusammenarbeit hat sich als ein wirksames Instrument zur Reduzierung der Abzweigung von Drogenausgangsstoffen bewährt. Vor allem die Meldung verdächtiger Vorgänge ist mit von entscheidender Bedeutung für den Umgang mit Designer-Ausgangsstoffen. Die gesetzliche Überwachung des Grundstoffverkehrs stellt gemeinsam mit diesen freiwilligen Maßnahmen ein insgesamt wirksames Maßnahmenpaket gegen die missbräuchliche Abzweigung von Drogenvorprodukten dar, auch wenn die Umsetzung für Unternehmen oft einen signifikanten Mehraufwand bedeutet. Die deutsche chemisch-pharmazeutische Industrie steht gerne für einen konstruktiven Dialog und Austausch im Rahmen der Überarbeitung des EU-Grundstoffrechts zur Verfügung.
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Response to Simplification and digitalisation of labels on chemicals (CLP, Detergents, Fertilising Products)

29 May 2023

We thank the EU Commission for the opportunity to comment on the proposal. You will find our detailed VCI comments in the attached document.
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Response to Ecodesign for Sustainable Products - Product priorities

12 May 2023

VCI against eco-design requirements for Chemicals as Intermediates: In the current consultation on product group prioritization under the ESPR, chemicals as intermediates are foreseen as one possible product group to be covered under ESPR via delegated acts. With the purpose of providing answers in the ongoing consultation, the VCIs feedback is that the German chemical industry opposes ecodesign requirements for chemicals as an intermediate product group. Chemicals as intermediates are already highly and well-regulated through REACH and CLP, which are appropriate tools in terms of safety aspects. Hence, we appreciate that chemicals safety is out of the scope of the ESPRs purpose and its delegated acts. In addition, chemicals production including sustainability/environmental aspects is highly regulated via existing legislation such as the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) and BREF documents as well as the production permits. Revision of the IED is currently also underway. Hence, additional regulation outside REACH and e.g. IED on chemicals safety or production would risk to create duplication to and potential contradictions with the existing legislative framework. Furthermore, we would like to highlight that the term intermediates will lead to misunderstandings as it is already defined under REACH Article 3 with a different meaning and context. Thus, we ask the commission to abstain from using this term. However, if a wording in the context of ESPR is required, we recommend using another term such as semi-finished goods" or "semi-products" or "semifinished goods/articles". Chemicals as Intermediates as product group would be highly complex: Only aspects which are not (yet) addressed under existing chemicals legislation, such as impeding recycling processes, could be regulated via ESPR delegated acts. Chemicals should be assessed in the final product: In this context, it is important to evaluate the individual chemical in view of its use in the end-product. Each chemical fulfils a specific function that may also help sustainability goals like extended durability or lightweighting. A holistic view is necessary to avoid unsuitable substitution or other unwanted trade-offs. Therefore, chemicals should not be regulated as an intermediate product group, but instead be evaluated within the end-use product. Chemicals manufacturing processes are highly heterogenous with varying parameters, all of which cannot be assessed via a single delegated act. Rather, to create a functioning framework, this would necessitate many delegated acts which would result in convoluted legislation. Therefore, we reject the disproportionate regulatory burden this would entail. Feedback on Horizontal measures The terms Durability, Recyclability, and Post-consumer recycled content have not been defined until now. Official definitions of Durability, Recyclability, and Post-consumer recycled content should be undertaken in one of the EU legislative proposals along the lines of the legal definition of recycling in the Waste Directive 2008/98/EC. Regulation 2022/0396 (COD) on Packaging and Packaging Waste provides adoption of implementing acts establishing the methodology for the calculation and verification of the percentage of recycled content by 31 December 2026 (cf. Art. 7, No. 7 of Regulation 2022/0396 (COD)). Calculation methods should consider the principle of technology neutrality. Innovative and advanced solutions, including chemical recycling, are needed to address the complexity of plastic waste streams. Therefore, we support the calculation method described within the JRC Science for Policy Report Draft Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation - preliminary study on new product priorities (2023) as following: Provisions on minimum content of recycled material expressed either as a fraction of the total material input (in %) or in absolute numbers (cf. Figure V). Please note attached position.
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Meeting with Kerstin Jorna (Director-General Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs)

4 May 2023 · Exchange on energy costs and RM supply chains in the context of Green Deal

VCI Warns Taxonomy Criteria Impede Chemical Industry Transformation

3 May 2023
Topic — Defining technical criteria for sustainable economic activities under the EU's environmental taxonomy.
Message — VCI requests more achievable technical criteria and exemptions for specific chemical activities. They advocate for flexible feedstock options and reduced reporting for non-aligned activities.123
Why — Relaxing these rules would lower compliance costs and simplify complex reporting procedures.4
Impact — Investors and regulators lose comparability if companies provide less data on activities.5
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German chemical industry urges practical EU taxonomy reform

3 May 2023
Topic — Establishing technical screening criteria for sustainable economic activities under the EU taxonomy.
Message — The association calls for more realistic criteria. They want to remove reporting requirements for activities that fail sustainability tests. They argue verification costs for medicines are unreasonably high.1234
Why — The industry would avoid high administrative costs and gain better access to green investment capital.5
Impact — Patients could face medicine shortages if strict rules make generic drug production economically unviable.6
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Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and ArcelorMittal and SSAB AB

3 May 2023 · NZIA

Meeting with Christine Schneider (Member of the European Parliament)

25 Apr 2023 · CLP

German chemical industry demands exemptions for industrial packaging

19 Apr 2023
Topic — The European Commission is reviewing rules to reduce and recycle packaging waste.
Message — VCI requests excluding industrial packaging and recognizing chemical recycling as a valid method. They also propose calculating recycled content averages across entire companies.123
Why — This would reduce regulatory costs and allow flexibility for complex industrial logistics.45
Impact — Environmental efforts suffer as large streams of industrial waste would remain unregulated.6
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Meeting with Matthias Ecke (Member of the European Parliament)

18 Apr 2023 · Kennenlernen und Meinungsaustausch

German chemical industry warns CLP revision creates trade barriers

20 Mar 2023
Topic — EU proposal to revise chemical classification, labelling and packaging regulation.
Message — VCI requests the EU withdraw unilateral introduction of new hazard classes until UN agreement is reached, align multi-constituent substance definitions with REACH, and reject automatic classification for substances on SVHC lists. They argue current proposals create legal uncertainty and administrative burdens without recognizable benefits.123
Why — This would preserve global harmonization and avoid costly relabeling and compliance systems.45
Impact — Workers and consumers lose faster implementation of protections against endocrine disruptors and persistent chemicals.6
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German chemical industry urges linking carbon removals to EU-ETS

17 Mar 2023
Topic — A European Commission proposal creating a regulatory framework for certifying carbon removals.
Message — VCI requests that the Commission "allow the usage of carbon removal certificates for compliance in EU-ETS". They argue "chemical recycling... should be officially recognized as an additional feedstock" and advocate for incentivizing "emission capture from point sources".123
Why — This would provide the sector with flexible balancing options for residual emissions.4
Impact — Direct air capture developers lose out to favored industrial point-source technologies.5
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VCI opposes expanding Commission powers over water pollutant standards

14 Mar 2023
Topic — A review of legislative lists for surface and groundwater chemical pollutants.
Message — VCI rejects the Commission using delegated acts to set harmonized water threshold values. They propose adding three management cycles to provide legal certainty after 2027. The group also seeks broader exemptions for industrial activities to prevent project delays.12
Why — These adjustments would reduce regulatory uncertainty and prevent costly delays for industrial projects.3
Impact — Environmental protection groups lose if stricter pollutant standards and deadlines are significantly delayed.4
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German chemical industry demands consumer-funded wastewater treatment model

14 Mar 2023
Topic — The EU is revising legislation for urban wastewater treatment and micro-pollutant removal.
Message — The VCI rejects a one-sided financial burden on manufacturers from pre-selected sectors. They propose a general financing system at EU level following the Swiss model.12
Why — Shifting costs to consumers protects chemical companies from significant financial burdens and bureaucratic overhead.3
Impact — Citizens and patients face more expensive goods and possible shortages of essential medicines.45
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German Chemical Industry Urges Delayed Implementation of Air Standards

7 Mar 2023
Topic — The EU is revising legislation to align air quality standards with health recommendations.
Message — The association requests postponing compliance with new air quality values until 2040. They prefer flexible target values over strict limits and oppose expanded legal sanctions.123
Why — This delay protects the profitability of existing chemical plants during their long-term green transition.4
Impact — Public health and environmental groups lose as stricter pollution limits are delayed for a decade.5
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Meeting with Anne Funch Jensen (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager), Michele Piergiovanni (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager)

22 Nov 2022 · State Aid and Energy.

Meeting with Axel Voss (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft and

8 Nov 2022 · Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

Response to Introducing new hazard classes–CLP revision

17 Oct 2022

Further information in the attached document General comments -No need for new CLP hazard classes: The introduction of new hazard classes is not necessary. A high level of health and environmental protection and improvement of environmental quality are already provided by existing legislation. Nevertheless, we take the opportunity to comment on the new hazard classes in detail, as it seems to be the political will to introduce them regardless of well-founded concerns. -Risk management is task of REACH not CLP: The introduction of new hazard classes intended as selection criteria when extending the generic approach under REACH would result in an unnecessary overlapping of REACH and CLP. -Amendments in CLP Regulation concern several regulations: The legal consequences of the proposed amendments for downstream or other chemical regulations need to be considered. -Wording of the criteria/CLP guidelines: The wording of the criteria and the assessment is vague. The criteria should be specified in the legal text. Further information can be given in CLP guidelines. -Transition periods/Guidelines: Guidelines should be available before the entry into force of the CLP revision, and the transition periods for substances and mixtures in the draft should not start until the updated guidelines are available. Measures taken by the EU Commission at UN GHS -No compliance with UN GHS on the horizon: ED, PBT/vPvB and PMT/vPvM are combinations of different effects/multiple endpoints and not separate defined endpoint. The UN GHS (and CLP) does not provide for such an approach. -Unilateral changes are not practical: Any unilateral changes by introducing new hazard classes and categories into the CLP Regulation by the European Union must be avoided. It is of utmost interest for industry to maintain the harmonisation achieved. Comments on the proposed criteria for endocrine disruptors -Existing hazard classes already address adverse effects: Adverse effects resulting from endocrine disruptors are already covered by existing CLP hazard classes and result in appropriate risk management measures. -IPCS/WHO definition: We favour that the hazard categories for endocrine disruptors for human health and for the environment are based on the IPCS/WHO definition of 2002. -Classification of a mixture: VCI welcomes the introduction of generic concentration limits triggering classification of a mixture, that are comparable to other existing hazard classes (such as CMRs). General Comments on the proposed criteria for PBT/vPvB and PMT/vPvM -Alignment with existing definitions in REACH: It is to be welcomed that the definition of the P, B and T criteria is mainly based on the already existing definitions in REACH. -Impurities of a substance: For substances, that are not readily or inherently biodegradable a lot of further testing is expected. -Hazard communication: The fact that no pictograms will be used for labelling for PBT/vPvB and PMT/vPvM is welcomed. The wording of the proposed EUH phrases appears inconsistent and not aligned. -Extension of the toxicity: Toxicity assessment should keep consistency with the current REACH criteria. For the presented draft wording we suggest that data from tests on terrestrial and sediment organisms should only be relevant and used if they are already available. Comments on PMT/vPvM Criteria -Log Koc: The Log Koc as the only criterion for the evaluation of the mobility properties of a substance leads to methodological difficulties. The Koc value does not consider the complex sorption behaviour or the loading or application rate of the chemicals. -Ionic and ionisable substances: For those compounds highly variable adsorption/desorption properties towards soil are observable and the results will therefore be inaccurate. -All available information should be considered: Due to the repeatedly mentioned methodological weaknesses of the individual criterion all available information should be considered (WoE approach).
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German chemical industry demands reform of shipping competition rules

30 Sept 2022
Topic — Evaluation of EU rules allowing shipping lines to cooperate for joint services.
Message — The VCI calls for lowering the exemption threshold to 20% of the market share. They also demand mandatory reporting on punctuality and clearer guidelines for defining shipping markets.12
Why — Increased competition among carriers could lower shipping costs and improve delivery reliability.3
Impact — Large shipping alliances lose their current market power and automatic legal exemptions.4
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German chemical industry urges flexible recycled content rules

28 Sept 2022
Topic — EU initiative ensuring mobile phones and tablets are designed for durability and repairability.
Message — The VCI requests including the mass balance credit method to calculate recycled material content. They argue this method is necessary for industries with complex value chains to scale sustainable production.12
Why — This allows chemical companies to claim recycled content using existing infrastructure without building separate production lines.3
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German chemical industry urges innovation over blanket pesticide bans

19 Sept 2022
Topic — This consultation evaluates revising EU rules to reduce pesticide use and risks.
Message — VCI calls for avoiding blanket bans in sensitive areas through individual approaches. They urge the Commission to prioritize innovation and recognize national progress.123
Why — Promoting innovation helps chemical firms market advanced technologies and avoid strict bans.4
Impact — Environmentalists lose strict safeguards if flexible strategies replace uniform pesticide bans.5
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German chemical industry urges intellectual property protection in EHDS

27 Jul 2022
Topic — The European Commission is establishing a framework for sharing health data.
Message — The VCI calls for concrete mechanisms to protect intellectual property and confidential business information. They also request industry representation on the EHDS Board to ensure effective implementation.12
Why — Protecting commercial secrets helps maintain their competitive advantage and reduces administrative overhead.34
Impact — Public health researchers lose access to datasets that companies classify as private property.5
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Response to Regulating the marketing and use of high-risk chemicals

19 Jul 2022

Der VCI unterstützt das Ziel der Kommission, der Bedrohung und dem Risiko terroristischer Anschläge mit Chemikalien entgegenzuwirken. Die chemische Industrie engagiert sich seit langem für die friedliche, legale Nutzung chemischer Stoffe, die für die Prozesse der Industrie und ihrer Kunden unverzichtbar sind. Dem illegalen Missbrauch chemischer Stoffe stellen wir uns entschieden entgegen. Durch Sensibilisierung, Umsetzung bestehender Vorschriften und Kooperation mit den Behörden tragen chemische Unternehmen täglich zu Prävention und Aufklärung bei. Daher sind der VCI und seine Mitglieder bereit, sich aktiv an dem Konsultationsprozess zu beteiligen sowie Wissen und Erfahrungen der deutschen Chemie einzubringen. 1/ Bessere Definition des Problems Aktuell ist aus den Informationen zu der Initiative nicht ersichtlich, welche Chemikalien nach welchen Kriterien von der Kommission als „hochriskant“ eingestuft werden, sodass eine detaillierte Rückmeldung zu diesem Zeitpunkt nicht möglich ist. Bestehende EU-Verordnungen, nationale Gesetze und internationale Übereinkommen regeln bereits den Umgang mit und die Handhabung von verschiedenen Chemikalien und deren Ausgangsstoffen. Eine eindeutige Definition der Chemikalien, auf welche die neuen Vorschriften abzielen sollen, auch im Verhältnis und in Abgrenzung zu bestehenden Regeln, ist daher essenziell. 2/ Aktuelle Regulierungs- und Kontrollrahmen ausschöpfen Diverse regulative Vorschriften bestehen bereits für Unternehmen bezüglich der Handhabung bestimmter Chemikalien. Die Kommission verweist selbst auf bestehende EU-Verordnungen mit Blick auf die ausstehende Folgenabschätzung. Hierzu zählen u. a. 1) internationale Übereinkommen – insbes. das Chemiewaffenübereinkommen, 2) bestehende EU-Verordnungen, wie die CLP-, REACH-, PIC- und Explosivvorstoffe-Verordnungen, 3) nationale Vorgaben, bspw. die deutsche Chemikalienverbotsverordnung. Dies zeigt, dass bereits ein großer regulativer Rahmen für Unternehmen in der EU in Bezug auf Geschäfte mit Chemikalien existiert. Die seit Februar 2021 gültige VO (EU) 2019/1148 wurde mit dem Ziel verabschiedet, terroristischen Anschlägen mit Chemikalien Einhalt zu gebieten. Hier steht der nach 5 Jahren übliche Reviewprozess noch aus. Vor Einführung weiterer Vorschriften, sollten daher die bestehenden Regulierungs- und Kontrollrahmen evaluiert, vollständig implementiert, ausgeschöpft und, wo nötig, harmonisiert werden. 3/ Vor- und Nachteile des neuen Rechtsrahmens Eine Vielzahl der chemischen Industrieunternehmen haben Managementsysteme zur Überwachung der geschäftlichen Tätigkeiten mit spezifisch regulierten Chemikalien etabliert. Durch eine weitere Regulierung für „hochriskante Chemikalien“ würden weitere Prüfungen und deren Dokumentation in Unternehmen notwendig. Dies könnte die Handlungsfähigkeit der Unternehmen beeinflussen. Je nach Regelungsinhalt könnte eine weitere Verordnung für das Binnengeschäft anwendbar sein und dort den Dokumentationsaufwand erhöhen. Das Ausfuhrgeschäft in Drittstaaten könnte jedoch möglicherweise durch „Nichterfassung“ weniger aufwändig und somit attraktiver werden. Dies könnte die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit im Vergleich zu Drittstaaten verschlechtern. 4/ Verhältnismäßigkeit wahren Als Verband der chemisch-pharmazeutischen Industrie verstehen wir die von der Kommission identifizierten Risiken. Unsere Mitglieder stellen täglich sicher, dass Chemikalien nicht in falsche Hände geraten. Hieraus entsteht ein hoher Inspektions-, Dokumentations- und Kostenaufwand für Unternehmen, die bestehende Regelungen bereits umsetzen. Mit Blick auf die Bandbreite bestehender Verordnungen möchten wir die Kommission daher auffordern, Verhältnismäßigkeit zu wahren und eine detaillierte Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse sowie Folgenabschätzung durchzuführen, bevor neue Vorschriften eingeführt werden, deren Ziele möglicherweise durch bereits verabschiedete Regelungen erreicht werden könnten. Wichtig wäre zudem eine einheitliche Anwendung in der EU bzw. dem EWR.
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Response to Evaluation of the rates and structures of excise duty on alcohol and alcoholic beverages

4 Jul 2022

Der VCI unterstützt das Nachhaltigkeitsziel Nr. 3 – in Zusammenhang mit dieser Evaluierung insbesondere das Unterziel 3.5 – der Vereinten Nationen sowie den europäischen Plan gegen den Krebs der Europäischen Kommission, welche die Reduktion schädlichen Alkoholkonsums erreichen möchten. Daher befürworten wir grundsätzlich Maßnahmen, die dazu geeignet sind, dieses Ziel zu erreichen, auch unter Nutzung der Besteuerung von Alkohol als ein Ansatzpunkt. Richtlinie 92/84/EWG legt allerdings nicht nur die Verbrauchsteuersätze für alkoholhaltige Getränke fest, sondern in Artikel 3 ebenfalls den Verbrauchsteuersatz für Ethylalkohol, welcher industriell als Lösungsmittel oder Reaktionspartner verwendet werden kann. Als chemisch-pharmazeutische Industrie sehen wir die Notwendigkeit, die Verwendung von Alkohol steuerlich zu kontrollieren. Industriell verwendeter Ethylalkohol unterliegt jedoch einer anderen Verwendung als zu Genuss- oder Trinkzwecken. Zugleich enthalten die in der chemisch-pharmazeutischen Industrie verwendeten Alkohole in der Regel neben dem Vergällungsmittel oftmals Beimengungen anderer, teils gesundheitsgefährdender Stoffe und verhindern so den Missbrauch zu Trinkzwecken. Das Ziel, durch Anhebung der Mindeststeuersätze u. a. schädlichen Alkoholkonsum einzudämmen, wird in der chemisch-pharmazeutischen Industrie daher verfehlt. In der chemisch-pharmazeutischen Industrie wird Ethylalkohol in großen Mengen bezogen (ISO-Container >20.000 L) und eingesetzt. Während der verschiedenen industriellen Verarbeitungsprozesse von Ethylalkohol kann es immer wieder zu Schwundmengen kommen – beispielsweise bei Destillationen und Filtrationsverfahren, die in der chemisch-pharmazeutischen Industrie gängige Arbeitsschritte sind. Jede Fehlmenge, die während einer Verarbeitung oder eines chemischen Prozesses auftritt, muss von den Unternehmen gegenüber den kontrollierenden Behörden glaubhaft erklärt werden. Zudem muss nachgewiesen werden, dass sie keiner zweckwidrigen Verwendung zukam. Da in der chemisch-pharmazeutischen Industrie ein Verlust in der Regel an mehreren Stellen eines Verarbeitungsprozesses auftreten kann, ist im Nachhinein nicht immer analytisch nachweisbar, an welcher Stelle welche Mengen in Abgas- oder Abfallströmen entschwunden sind. In inhomogenen Abfallströmen ist dies sogar unmöglich. Ein somit nur schwerlich glaubhaft zu quantifizierbarer Nachweis des Schwundes kann dann zu einer Besteuerung der Fehlmenge führen. Aufgrund der Größenordnungen, in denen Ethylalkohol industriell eingesetzt wird, führt dies schnell zu einer unverhältnismäßig hohen Besteuerung von Unternehmen bis in den sechsstelligen Bereich. Insbesondere kleine und mittlere Unternehmen kann dies in wirtschaftliche Schwierigkeiten bringen. Zur Einhaltung des bestehenden Alkoholsteuerrechts und damit der Vermeidung einer unerwünschten Steuerentstehung betreibt die chemisch-pharmazeutische Industrie daher einen hohen monetären und technischen Aufwand. Die jetzige Evaluierung der Steuersätze und Strukturen der Verbrauchsteuer auf Alkohol und alkoholische Getränke sollte daher die von konsumierbarem Alkohol abweichenden Bedingungen industriell verwendeten Ethylalkohols berücksichtigen. Bei einer Überarbeitung der Mindestverbrauchsteuersätze für Alkohol sollte aus diesem Grund eine stärkere Abgrenzung zwischen Ethanol zu Trink- und Genusszwecken und Ethanol zur industriellen Nutzung erfolgen, sodass für Schwundmengen, die durch gängige Prozesse in der chemisch-pharmazeutischen Industrie auftreten, keine Besteuerung der industriellen Fehlmenge oder nur ein ermäßigter Mindestverbrauchsteuersatz festgelegt werden kann.
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German Chemical Industry Warns Red Tape Risks Green Transformation

23 Jun 2022
Topic — The European Commission proposes updating industrial emission rules to improve environmental protection.
Message — The association demands shorter permit procedures and rejects mandatory environmental management systems for plants. They argue that setting the lowest possible emission limits would create excessive bureaucratic burdens.123
Why — The industry would avoid high administrative costs and protect sensitive production strategies from competitors.4
Impact — Environmental groups and citizens would lose the ability to file collective lawsuits for health damages.5
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Response to Sustainable Products Initiative

22 Jun 2022

The chemical industry contributes to the sustainability and climate goals of the EU with innovative products and processes and has been working successfully for years to avoid possible impacts on the environment and health. We therefore welcome the extension of the ecodesign criteria to include all aspects of the circular economy. Nevertheless, when weighing sustainability criteria, the product and its use must be kept in mind, i.e., including performance and functionality. To really promote sustainable products, a holistic approach is necessary that considers the entire life cycle of the products. Restrictions on substances must be in line with REACH: The ESPR sets the framework for possible regulation of substances, including substances of concern, if they have a negative impact on the sustainability of the product. Where necessary, the identification of substances of concern from a safety point of view should be done only under REACH. Definition of "Substances of concern": Ecodesign is an instrument to promote sustainability and the circular economy. It is therefore understandable that substance uses that can have a negative impact on the reuse and recycling of materials should be considered in the definition of "substance of concern". For concrete product regulations, it should be examined on a case-by-case basis which options for action exist to overcome recycling barriers. In any case, it would have to be differentiated when information about such substances in the product is necessary or when a ban on use would be justified/proportional. Furthermore, recycling-related requirements should only apply to end products. Regarding exclusion criteria, the ESPR and delegated acts should not name substance classes across the board but refer to applicable restrictions/prohibitions in the delegated acts. The proposed SoC definition is too broad regarding information obligations. Only a reference to SVHC and substances that have a negative impact on reuse or recycling is comprehensible. Furthermore, it should be assessed on a case-by-case basis whether information is required beyond the existing information obligations under REACH and the Waste Framework Directive. No competitive disadvantage for European manufacturers: The ESPR opens the possibility to regulate not only substances in the product but also within the production process. For products manufactured outside the EU, this information can neither be safely verified nor enforced. This results in a competitive disadvantage for European manufacturers. For this reason, only the end product should be considered. Innovation must be encouraged: A severe restriction of substances will have a direct critical impact on the innovation ability of companies to produce sustainable products, which are needed, among other things, for the successful implementation of the Green Deal. For cases where the EU is seeking to substitute a “substance of concern", adequate support programmes for the development of alternative processes need to be offered in advance. Digital Product Passport: Competition rules and business secrets must be respected when designing the DPP. Access should only be granted to a selection of specific and relevant types of information to avoid disclosure of supply chains or recipes. We therefore propose that within the value chain, only the respective buyer or seller can view relevant data (principle: one up, one down). When creating the unique product identifier, standards must be able to be used flexibly and there should be no mandatory costs. Limitations of the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) method: The methods for calculating the PEF are still inadequate in some places. These deficiencies must be remedied before legal requirements are set based on these methods. Some examples are the recyclability of raw materials, the use of biomass and biogenic carbon uptake. Please also consider the attached position paper. Thank you.
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German chemical industry association urges focus on immediate suppliers

20 Jun 2022
Topic — New EU rules to ban products produced with forced labor from the market.
Message — VCI requests an impact assessment and limiting rules to immediate suppliers. They believe the ban needs existing due diligence frameworks.123
Why — Limiting checks to direct suppliers would reduce administrative burden and compliance costs.45
Impact — Workers in lower supply chain tiers lose protection if oversight stops at Tier 1.6
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Meeting with Axel Voss (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Bayer AG

16 Jun 2022 · Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

Response to Data Act (including the review of the Directive 96/9/EC on the legal protection of databases)

13 May 2022

Der VCI bedankt sich für die Möglichkeit einer Rückmeldung zum "EU Data Act" und nimmt im beigefügten Dokument Stellung.
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German chemical industry urges broad definitions for carbon removal

2 May 2022
Topic — The EU is developing a regulatory framework for certifying sustainable carbon removals.
Message — VCI demands broad definitions for carbon removals including chemical recycling. They want all non-fossil carbon contributions recognized as sustainable.12
Why — This would reduce compliance costs by certifying existing industrial recycling processes.34
Impact — Environmental groups lose if the framework rewards temporary emission delays.5
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Meeting with Carsten Schierenbeck (Cabinet of Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič)

29 Apr 2022 · Discussion on Better regulation

German chemical industry urges narrowing of EU supply chain rules

20 Apr 2022
Topic — New EU rules forcing companies to manage environmental and human rights in supply chains.
Message — VCI demands limiting due diligence to direct suppliers and focusing solely on human rights rather than environmental or climate goals. They also insist that liability should only apply when a company directly causes a violation.123
Why — Limiting the scope prevents excessive administrative costs and potential lawsuits from international claimants.45
Impact — Victims of environmental damage or indirect supply chain abuses face reduced legal protection.6
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Response to Revision of EU rules on Gas

12 Apr 2022

• VIK und VCI begrüßen die mit der Gesetzesinitiative eingeleiteten Weichenstellungen für die Integration treibhausgasarm erzeugter leitungsgebundener Gase in den Binnenmarkt. • Der technologieoffene Ansatz zur Berücksichtigung von „low carbon hydrogen“ und „low carbon fuels“ begünstigt einen zügigen Markthochlauf für klimaschonende gasförmige Brennstoffe und Feedstock. Eine Ausgestaltung der Legaldefinitionen mittels absoluter Emissionsgrenzwerte ist erforderlich, um Rechtssicherheit für die Marktteilnehmer zu gewährleisten. • Gasqualitäts-Management ist grundlegend für die Funktionalität des Binnenmarktes. Zur Wahrung der Interoperabilität sollten auf Fernleitungsebene Wasserstoffbeimengungen ausgeschlossen werden. Ferner bedürfen „Biogas aus Biomasse“ und „Wasserstoff“ eindeutiger Spezifikationen. Es bedarf der Möglichkeit einer einspeiseseitigen Anschlussverweigerung, sofern dem Betrieb von erdgasverbrauchenden Anlagen erhebliche Einschränkungen drohen. • Ein einheitlich regulierter Netzzugang ist grundlegend für den Aufbau eines barrierefreien und binnenmarktkompatiblen Entry-Exit-Systems im Wasserstoffbereich. Die Möglichkeit eines temporären verhandelten Netzzugangs steht der Entwicklung eines liquiden barrierefreien Marktes entgegen. Gleichwohl müssen aus Gründen des Vertrauensschutzes sowie der Berücksichtigung der Netzauslegung und bestehender Vertragspflichten für bestehende Wasserstoffinfrastrukturen Übergangsregelungen gelten. • Laufzeitbegrenzungen für Kapazitätsverträge müssen eine geeignete Balance zwischen Investitionssicherheit und Wettbewerbspotenzial widerspiegeln und bedürfen einer turnusmäßigen Evaluierung. • Die notwendige Entflechtungsregulierung soll Synergien nutzbar machen. Deshalb sollte die Anwendung des ITO-Modells zeitlich nicht beschränkt und die Herausbildung von Kombinetzbetreibern durch buchhalterische statt gesellschaftsrechtlicher horizontaler Entflechtung befördert werden. • Eine integrierte Netzentwicklungsplanung ist begrüßenswert, sollte jedoch industriellen Dampfnetzbetreibern keinen unverhältnismäßigen Aufwand zur Informationsbereitstellung abverlangen. • Erleichterung einer gemeinsamen Infrastrukturfinanzierung von Erdgas- und Wasserstoffsystem. • Effektivität und Effizienz einer strategische Gasreserve und der gemeinsamen Beschaffung hängen erheblich von der Ausgestaltung ab. Die aktuellen Legislativvorschläge lassen viele Fragen offen. • Umverteilungseffekte aufgrund reduzierter Netznutzungsentgelte für den Transport erneuerbarer oder treibhausgasarm erzeugter Gase dürfen nicht zu wesentlichen Anstiegen der Netzentgelte für Letztverbraucher führen.
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Response to Unitary Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPC) – creation and granting procedure

4 Apr 2022

Der VCI bedankt sich für die Möglichkeit einer Stellungnahme zu einer Folgenabschätzung betreffend das Thema: „Arzneimittel und Pflanzenschutzmittel – einheitliches Verfahren für die Erteilung von ergänzenden Schutzzertifikaten“ vom 8. März 2022 und nimmt im beigefügten Dokument Stellung.
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Response to Protection of workers from risks related to exposure to asbestos at work

21 Mar 2022

Stellungnahme zum beabsichtigten Vorschlag der Europäischen Kommission zur Änderung der Richtlinie über Asbest am Arbeitsplatz (2009/148/EG) Wir begrüßen den beabsichtigten Vorschlag der Europäischen Kommission zur Verbesserung des Schutzes der Arbeitnehmerinnen und Arbeitnehmer vor Gefährdungen durch Asbest in der EU und unterstützen den Vorschlag der Employers und Government Interest Group der Working Party Chemicals den BOELV mit 0,01 F/cm3 (= 10.000 F/m3) festzulegen. Eine weitere Absenkung auf 0,001 F/cm3 (= 1.000 F/m3) lehnen wir hingegen als technisch nicht umsetzbar ab. Ebenfalls befürworten wir die Verbesserung des Schutzes der Arbeitnehmerinnen und Arbeitnehmer gegen eine Gefährdung durch Asbest in der gesamten EU bei gleichzeitiger Sicherstellung einer besseren Übersichtlichkeit und gleicher Wettbewerbsbedingungen in diesem Bereich für die Wirtschaftsbeteiligten. Es ist ebenfalls sinnvoll, zur Messung der Luftkonzentration der Asbestfasern die derzeitigen elektronenmikroskopischen Methoden als Stand der Technik aufzunehmen und eine Harmonisierung des Vorgehens auf EU-Ebene unter Berücksichtigung einer Übergangsphase anzustreben. Folgende Punkte der Entschließung des Europäischen Parlaments zur Festlegung des BOELV mit 0,001 F/cm3 (= 1.000 F/m3) sehen wir hingegen sehr kritisch und bedürfen besonderer Aufmerksamkeit und einer praxistauglichen Lösung: Standardisierte Arbeitsverfahren mit einer geringen Exposition sind bei einem BOELV von 0,001 F/cm3 (= 1.000 F/m3) nicht mehr anwendbar. Setzt die EU-Kommission die vom Europäischen Parlament vorgeschlagenen Änderungen bezüglich der Absenkung des BOELV für Asbest um, führt dies zu erheblichen Erschwernissen bei der Durchführung von Abbruch-, Sanierungs- und Instandhaltungsarbeiten (ASI-Arbeiten) in der Praxis. Die nach der Gefahrstoffverordnung in Deutschland erforderlichen Schutzmaßnahmen und organisatorischen Voraussetzungen für ASI-Arbeiten sind in der Technischen Regel für Gefahrstoffe TRGS 519 "Asbest; Abbruch-, Sanierungs- oder Instandhaltungsarbeiten" zu-sammengefasst. Die dauerhafte Unterschreitung einer Luftkonzentration von 0,001 F/cm3 (= 1.000 F/m3) ist bei Abbrucharbeiten auf Grund der Art der Tätigkeit und der Bildung von Stäuben nicht machbar. Hier sind die einschlägigen Regelungen zur Expositionsminderung und zum Schutz der Beschäftigten anzuwenden. Sanierungs- und Instandhaltungsarbeiten, die zu einem Abtrag der Oberfläche von Asbestprodukten führen, sind zulässig, wenn sie unter Anwendung emissionsarmer Verfahren durchgeführt werden, die behördlich oder von den Trägern der gesetzlichen Unfallversicherung anerkannt sind (Anhang II Nr. 1 GefStoffV). Solche führen zu Erleichterungen in der Praxis. Diese Arbeitsverfahren, die eine geringe Exposition gegenüber Asbest gewährleisten und die in der DGUV Information 201-012 (< 10.000 F/m3) veröffentlicht sind, wären dann nicht mehr zulässig und könnten nicht mehr angewandt werden. Des Weiteren ist die Einhaltung des angestrebten Grenzwertes von 1.000 F/m3, der zu keinem Zeitpunkt überschritten werden darf, nach dem Stand der Technik nicht umsetzbar. Es gibt nur wenige Tätigkeiten und Arbeitsverfahren, bei denen die Anforderung von 1.000 F/m3 sicher jederzeit eingehalten werden können. Eine ständige Einhaltung dieses sehr niedrigen Grenzwertes wäre damit jedoch nicht möglich. Die Forderungen des Europäischen Parlamentes den BOELV bei 0,001 F/cm3 (= 1.000 F/m3) festzulegen, würde zu außerordentlichen Verschärfungen und nicht lösbaren Erschwernissen bei Abbruch-, Sanierungs- und Instandhaltungsarbeiten in vielen Branchen, insbesondere der Bauindustrie und im handwerklichen Sektor aber auch der Chemischen Industrie führen.
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Response to Soil Health Law – protecting, sustainably managing and restoring EU soils

10 Mar 2022

Both the chemical and agrochemical industries, as energy- and resource-intensive sectors, feel a special obligation to protect the environment ("Responsible Care"). For agriculture, soil is the basis of all production, therefore an efficient and sustainable soil management is essential. Besides that, intensive and efficiency-oriented land management in the past as well as the long tradition of use of many sites with consequences of world wars and "disproportionate" use from today's perspective have led to harmful soil changes, i.e., in particular chemical pollution. The enforcement of the German soil protection law and the various obligations arising from the technical regulations on preventive soil protection law (Ordinance on Installations for the Handling of Substances Hazardous to Water, etc.) have led to soil pollution being avoided or, if it has occurred, to its immediate restoration. National legislation thus already addresses soil protection intensively, which means that double regulation is to be avoided (subsidiarity principle). For example, predicted environmental concentrations of plant protection products in the soil are already determined and considered in the strict risk assessment within the framework of plant protection product authorisation. In order to be able to achieve the set targets of the EU biodiversity strategy and to protect EU soils, the following aspects should be taken into account. Regarding the chemical industry (aftercare principle): - A risk-based approach in connection with the respective soil use should be set in the assessment and derivation of measures for contaminated soils; - The mere presence of contaminants in soil does not justify its classification as “contaminated”. For this, at least background values need to be considered and a rigorous risk assessment needs to be performed.; - When assessing soil contamination, the use of the site should be considered. So-called "brown fields", i.e., previously or currently used sites, should be considered differently from use on new sites ("green fields"); For example, for industrial production sites there are already soil monitoring requirements in the Industrial Emissions Directive (Art 16) and a clear demarcation would be needed in the new soil law proposal - There should be no binding soil and/or groundwater investigations for (planned) land transactions. Private agreements and all informations between contracting parties require by all means a special protection of confidentiality; - "Safeguarding of contaminated sites" and "remediation of contaminated sites" should have equal priority; - Clear distinction between "remediation" and "restoration" should be provided; - Bureaucratic effort and benefits should be weighed up regarding “passports for excavated soil”. For industrial sites, we recommend creating a "relocation clause" at the site under consideration of the “deterioration principle”; - Biodiversity in soil is a very complex system that needs to be better understood in order to define biodiversity protection measures; - Stakeholder participation in drawing up the EU priority list for pollutants in soils as well as in the definition of soil health indicators and their value range are strongly advised. Regarding the agrochemical industry (precautionary principle): - Already existing strict plant protection product authorisation in the EU should be recognised and proven soil risk assessments of plant protection products (i.e. sorption, degradation, accumulation, persistence, toxicity for soil organisms) should be considered; - There is a need for promotion of innovative crop protection and fertiliser technologies (digitalisation/smart farming like “spot application”) to achieve the goals of the European Green Deal and its initiatives; We would like to use this feedback on soil health as an opportunity to enter an in-depth exchange with the European Commission. We are at your disposal at any time to answer your detailed questions.
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Meeting with Jens Geier (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur)

3 Mar 2022 · Exchange on the gas market directive

Response to Waste Framework review to reduce waste and the environmental impact of waste management

22 Feb 2022

With this initiative, the EU Commission intends to revise the EU Waste Framework Directive. One of the main objectives is to better implement and strengthen the EU waste hierarchy in order to optimise waste prevention, preparation for re-use and recycling. In principle, this goal of the EU Commission is supported by VCI. The chemical industry is making a variety of contributions to this. For example, new innovative processes, e. g. in the field of chemical recycling, make it possible to recycle plastic waste that so far could not be recycled. In addition, undesired substances are removed from the material cycle. It is especially important to create a framework ensuring a recycling market which allows the waste producer to utilize all available recycling options. Revision of the EU Waste Framework Directive - this is what VCI stands for: Create room for innovation and competitive framework conditions Industry, society and the environment can only benefit from the potentials of a circular economy based on a comprehensive understanding of a sustainable circular economy, which takes into account all contributions to the conservation of resources. The goal of a fully circular economy is ambitious and the road to it is long. The transformation can only succeed with an impartial position towards new technologies and freedom for innovation under competitive framework conditions. Enable most appropriate recovery/disposal route Sustainable waste recovery requires that the composition of the waste determines the optimal recovery route in each case. Therefore, processes such as chemical recycling, in addition to mechanical processes, must also be considered in an unbiased manner. Ultimately, the decisive factor in the choice of the best recovery route must be which process has the best overall life cycle assessment. For waste streams that cannot be recycled further - e. g. incineration residues from energy recovery - landfilling must also remain possible. Create an optimised legal framework for "circular materials“ A successful circular economy requires equal conditions for all materials in the cycle, re-gardless of whether they are "new" or "used". Waste legislation should assign a privileged status to materials actually being circulated compared to those materials that are only recovered thermally or even disposed of. A new status as "circular raw material" or similar should be introduced for this purpose. The waste status should only apply to materials that are actually withdrawn from the cycle (e. g. through energy recovery or disposal). Quality-assured material that remains in the cycle, on the other hand, should in principle no longer be waste in the previous legal sense. For example, the definition of waste would have to be adapted accordingly or material actually being circulated should reach the end of waste status at an earlier stage. Expansion of "recycling quotas" into "circular economy quotas" Waste legislation strongly focuses on the fulfilment of recycling quotas. Numerous other activities in addition to recycling that promote the circular economy, especially in the area of waste prevention, are not included in these quotas. As a result, such activities are neither visible to market participants nor to consumers, which leads, among other things, to a lack of appreciation of such measures. This applies, for example, to the use of industrial by-products, reconditioning, the implementation / use of reusable systems, chemical leasing, etc. Therefore, there should be a much stronger consideration of all relevant circular economy activities in the quotas. Ideally, a kind of "circular economy quota" should be introduced in which all measurable measures that promote the circular economy are summarised.
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Response to Evaluation and revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive

14 Feb 2022

Nach wie vor sind die zulässigen Maße und Gewichte von Lkw in den Staaten der Europäischen Union höchst unterschiedlich geregelt. Durch diese teils gravierenden Unterschiede ergeben sich unnötige Einschränkungen bei grenzüberschreitenden Transporten; es entstehen dabei Wettbewerbsverzerrungen zwischen den Mitgliedstaaten. Eine Harmonisierung und damit verbundene moderate Erhöhung der Maße und Gewichte führt zudem zu einer Steigerung der Transporteffizienz und bringt somit positive Effekte für den Klimaschutz. Mehrere EU-Mitgliedstaaten haben in den vergangenen Jahren die zulässigen Ge-samtgewichte nach oben angepasst und so bereits die Zahl der Transporte reduziert; eine europäische Angleichung würde somit zurück auf ein „level-playing-field“ führen. Bei einer Anhebung des zulässigen Gesamtgewichts für fünfachsige Lkw von 40 auf 44 Tonnen entfällt rein rechnerisch jeder sechste bis siebte Transport, damit ergibt sich eine Einsparung von mehreren Millionen Tonnen CO2, somit wird ein signifikanter Beitrag zum Klimaschutz geleistet. Des Weiteren werden so auch Engpässe in der Logistikkette abgefedert, die aufgrund fehlender Lkw-Fahrer bereits jetzt vorhanden sind und sich zukünftig verstärkt negativ auf die Lieferketten auswirken werden. Verlagerungseffekte zulasten an-derer Verkehrsträger wie z.B. der Bahn sind dabei nicht zu befürchten, da sich die Transportstruktur zwischen den Verkehrsträgern etwa in Bezug auf Entfernungen und Güterarten stark unterscheidet. Mögliche Überlastungen der Infrastruktur (z.B. älterer Brücken) könnten durch streckenbezogen Gewichtsbeschränkungen auf nationalstaatlicher Ebene vermieden bzw. anhand regionaler Maßnahmen gelöst werden, das Beispiel des kombinierten Verkehrs zeigt, dass die prinzipiell möglich ist. Die Erreichung der Klimaziele im Bereich Verkehr und Logistik können selbstverständlich auf Dauer nur durch die Umstellung auf CO2-freie Antriebe und die Stärkung alternativer Verkehrsträger erreicht werden; allerdings werden diese Maßnahmen - aufgrund der relativ langen Investitionszyklen - erst nach und nach zu einer signifikanten CO2-Reduktion führen. Aus diesem Grund sollten deshalb alle Stellschrauben genutzt werden, die zum Klimaschutz im (Straßen-)Güterverkehr beitragen. Daher ist aus unserer Sicht zu prüfen, inwiefern die positiven Erfahrungen vieler Länder mit zulässigen Gesamtgewichten von z.B. 44 Tonnen auf die EU insgesamt übertragbar sind, denn auch die Harmonisierung von Maßen und Gewichten ist somit ein sinnvoller Beitrag zu mehr Klimaschutz.
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Response to Measures to reduce microplastic pollution

17 Jan 2022

VCI-Position to the Call for evidence for an impact assessment – Ares(2021)7346796 Below you will find a short summary of the most important key points of the VCI position on the “Call for evidence for an impact assessment” to comply the required number of characters. Please take note of the detailed VCI position paper, which we have also uploaded. General: • We support the idea by the European Commission to evaluate measures to reduce the presence in the environment of unintentionally released microplastics from tyres, textiles and plastic pellets. • An EU comprehensive approach dealing with the issue of microplastics (intentionally/unintentionally) would be welcome, especially to enable a continuous exchange between the concerned stakeholders. For example, the still ongoing restriction process regarding intentionally added microplastics shows that there is a great need for knowledge exchange. • We support research activities on this topic by the industry and by government-funded projects. In this context we also like to highlight the activities of CEFIC LRI. • A compilation of the generally available information could make it even easier for the end user to make a more informed decision. • We welcome harmonised measures across Europe that give the industry more planning and legal certainty in the way their products are marketed, instead of national regulatory peculiarities. Textiles: • Policies should distinguish between clothing produced in the EU and clothing imported from third countries and consumed in the EU as well as between clothing and other kinds of textiles (home textiles, technical textiles). • The man-made fibres industry has progressed considerable towards a global standardised method to assess material loss from fabrics and by improving manufacturing processes. • Five associations – AISE, CIRFS, EOG, EURATEX and FESI – agree to support finding effective and economically feasible solutions for the prevention of microplastic release into the aquatic environment during the washing of synthetic textiles under the Cross Industry Agreement (CIA). • Studies have shown that a large proportion of synthetic fibres emitted from textiles can be removed from the water by treatment in wastewater treatment plants. However, in this case, the sludge must be incinerated / energetically recovered and not used for agriculture. Plastic pellets: • Plastic processing is carried out in industrial plants which are already subject to strict regulatory requirements and controls at national and local levels. • As an important raw material, the release of plastic granules into the environment should be avoided by already practiced careful handling of plastic granules. • The Operation Clean Sweep® (OCS) programme aims at preventing and reducing the losses of plastic granules or pellets along the entire pellet-handling value chain (production, transportation, processing and recycling). • It is essential to ensure that intended measures are feasible/practicable for small and medium-sized companies and consider the ongoing industry-led activities for reporting and auditing as well as ECHA’s regulation on the restriction of intentionally added microplastics. Tyres: • Despite member companies delivering material into the tyres industry, the VCI does not comment on unintended release of microplastic particles from tyres, because the VCI does not represent this industry sector.
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Meeting with Christoph Nerlich (Cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit) and Industriegewerkschaft Bergbau, Chemie, Energie

20 Dec 2021 · labour market aspects of the green transition

Response to Revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001

15 Nov 2021

Erneuerbare Energien und RFNBO müssen wettbewerbsfähig werden Im Fokus der Änderungsrichtlinie steht die Anhebung des Erneuerbaren-Ziels auf mindestens 40% bis 2030. Für den Industriesektor ist ein indikativer jährlicher Anstieg des Erneuerbaren-Anteils sowie ein verbindliches Ziel für einen Anteil von mind. 50% RFNBO an der Wasserstoffnutzung bis 2030 vorgegeben. Im Falle einer auskömmlichen Verfügbarkeit von EE-Strom und treibhausgasarm erzeugtem Wasserstoff zu wettbewerbsfähigen Kosten wird sich deren maximierte Nutzung im Industriesektor selbsttätig einstellen. Analog gilt dies für die Ziele im Wärmesektor. Statt Sektorzielen bedarf es deshalb des Ausbaus der erneuerbaren Energien und der Infrastrukturen sowie eines pragmatischen Regulierungsrahmens. Infolge spricht sich der VCI gegen die vorgesehenen verbindlichen Ziele für den Industrie- und Wärmesektor aus, zumal die Grünstrombedarfe der Industrie im Kontext des 40%-Ziels nach Ansicht des VCI unterschätzt werden. Barrierefreier Regulierungsrahmen erforderlich Der zur Erreichung der Klimaziele notwendige schnelle Hochlauf der Wasserstoffwirtschaft erfordert einen barrierefreien Regulierungsrahmen. Letzterem stehen die in Artikel 27 Abs. 3 RED II i.V.m. Erwägungsgrund 90 normierten räumlichen und zeitlichen Beschränkungen des Grünstrombezugs entgegen. Einschränkungen und Begrenzungen des Strombezugs aus benachbarten Gebotszonen müssen unterbleiben. Der Nachweis der Grünstromeigenschaft durch Herkunftsnachweise ist hinreichend. Die Erzeugung erneuerbaren Wasserstoffs bedarf der Technologieoffenheit, z.B. durch Berücksichtigung der Chlor-Alkali-Elektrolyse. Positiv ist die vorgesehene Weitergabe von Herkunftsnachweisen auch auf geförderte Grünstrommengen und die Stärkung von Erneuerbaren-PPA. Die vorgesehene Reduzierung von mit PPA assoziierten Finanzrisiken sollte auch eine unbürokratische Veräußerung zu viel beschafften Grünstroms adressieren. Denn längst nicht alle produzierenden Unternehmen nehmen auch eine Rolle als Stromhändler ein. Sofern für überbeschafften Grünstrom, z.B. infolge von Produktions- und Absatzschwankungen, keine Alternativlösung besteht, wird dadurch die Nutzung von PPA gehemmt. Erneuerbaren-Förderung stärker europäisieren Der VCI begrüßt die Verpflichtung der Mitgliedstaaten zur Kooperation bei Erneuerbaren-Erzeugungsprojekten. Die Europäisierung sollte jedoch noch ausgedehnt werden: Die Förderung von Erneuerbaren-Projekten sollten auch außerhalb desjenigen Mitgliedsstaates erfolgen können, aus dem die die Fördermittel stammen. Allerdings müssten die erzeugten Grünstrommengen dann auf die EE-Ziele des fördernden Mitgliedsstaates angerechnet werden können. Damit würden insbesondere Investitionsanreize in effiziente Erzeugungsstandorte gesetzt. Industriewärmenetze und Chemieparks Die Änderungsrichtlinie sieht Anschlussverpflichtungen gegenüber Drittanbietern an Wärme-/kältenetze mit Kapazitäten > 25 MWth vor. Zwar ist die optionale Möglichkeit technisch begründeter Ablehnungen für Mitgliedsstaaten vorgesehen. Da der in der Industrie übliche kaskadierende Netzbetrieb mit überhitztem Dampf (Temperaturen bis ca. 550 °C, Druck bis 150 bar) nicht mit der kommunalen Wärme-/Kälteeinspeisung kompatibel ist, sind Ausnahmeregelungen von der Netzanschlusspflicht für die Industrie aus technischen Gründen jedoch unabdingbar erforderlich. Da Industrie- und Chemieparks Nutzenergien wie Strom, Wärme, Druckluft unmittelbar an den jeweiligen Standorten in industrielle Wertschöpfungsketten zuliefern, wäre deren Zuordnung zum Industriesektor in der Änderungsrichtlinie sachlogisch. Frühzeitige Rahmensetzung für Co-Processing Co-Processing ist eine valide Erfüllungsoption für klimaneutrale Kraftstoffe. Die in Art. 1 Abs. 17 vorgesehene Verschiebung eines einschlägigen delegierten Rechtsaktes in das Jahr 2024 schafft ein unsicheres Investitionsumfeld, welches First Mover ausbremst. Daher sollte die bestehende Frist nicht ausgedehnt werden.
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German chemical industry warns CBAM model threatens global exports

11 Nov 2021
Topic — This consultation evaluates a mechanism to price carbon on certain imported products.
Message — VCI demands a WTO-compatible export refund system and continued exemptions for chemicals. They advocate for international cooperation to prevent trade retaliation and administrative burdens.12
Why — This would protect their export margins and prevent costly administrative overhead.3
Impact — Downstream companies suffer from higher raw material prices and increased foreign competition.4
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Response to Revision of the Energy Tax Directive

4 Nov 2021

VCI-Stellungnahme zur Konsultation zur Überarbeitung der Europäischen Energiesteuerrichtlinie (ETD) Grundlagen der Energiebesteuerung Hinsichtlich der Umstellung der Bemessungsgrundlage muss aus Sicht des VCI eine Lösung für Ersatzbrennstoffe gefunden werden. Die Analyse des Energiegehaltes, insbesondere bei Ersatzbrennstoffen, ist mit einem unverhältnismäßigen Aufwand verbunden und in einer Vielzahl von Fällen technisch unmöglich. Der VCI begrüßt, dass die stoffliche Verwendung weiterhin von der Besteuerung ausgeschlossen ist und die Dual Use Regelung weitestgehend erhalten bleibt. Allerdings müssen auch mineralogischen Prozesse wieder unter die Dual Use Regelung fallen. Ansonsten fiele für einige Prozesse, auch der chemischen Industrie, die Energiesteuer an. Dies birgt die klare Gefahr der internationalen Wettbewerbsverzerrung für diese Prozesse. Mindeststeuersätze Die von der Kommission vorgeschlagenen neuen Mindeststeuersätze liegen deutlich höher als die bisher geltenden Mindeststeuersätze. Erdgas wird den neuen Vorgaben zu Folge als Heizstoff 4-fach höher besteuert als bisher und als Kraftstoff 48-fach. Die chemische Industrie ist, solange Erneuerbare Energien nicht in ausreichender Menge und zu einem wettbewerbsfähigen Preis zur Verfügung stehen, auf Erdgas angewiesen. Hinzu kommt die jährliche Anpassung der Mindeststeuersätze an den Inflationsausgleich. Die vorgesehene massive Steigerung und die jährliche weitere Steigerung unterstützen die Unternehmen nicht in ihrer Transformationsphase, da noch keine ausreichenden wettbewerbsfähigen Alternativen bereitstehen. Aus Sicht des VCI sollte zur Festlegung des Mindeststeuersatzes eine Folgenabschätzung durchgeführt werden, um die internationale Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Chemieindustrie nicht zu gefährden. Steuersätze zur betrieblichen Verwendung Die Kommission schlägt vor, die Steuersätze zur betrieblichen Verwendung (Art. 4 Nr. 4 ETD) abzuschaffen. Dadurch würden auch Entlastungen nach § 54 EnergieStG und § 9b StromStG wegfallen. Die Steuerreduzierungen für die betriebliche Verwendung sollten daher erhalten bleiben. Steuerbefreiungen und -reduzierungen Der VCI begrüßt, dass weiterhin differenzierte Steuersätze für den Einsatz in energieintensiven Sektoren (inkl. Industrie- und Chemieparkbetreiber) möglich sind. Höchst problematisch ist, dass Reduzierungen unter den Mindeststeuersatz nicht möglich sind. Auf energieintensive Unternehmen und Industrie- und Chemieparkbetreiber wird dadurch trotz Spitzenausgleich und weiterer Entlastungen ein Kostenanstieg in erheblicher Höhe zukommen, da die Mindeststeuersätze steigen werden und damit beim Erdgas über dem Steuersatz mit Entlastungen liegen werden. Der VCI kritisiert außerdem die Optionalität der Steuerentlastungen. Dadurch unterfallen diese dem Beihilferecht und verhindern Planungssicherheit für betroffene Unternehmen. In Art. 18 a ETD findet sich eine Definition energieintensiver Industrien. Die Definition birgt die Gefahr einer massiven Einschränkung des Berechtigtenkreises für diese Steuerreduzierungen. Betreiber von Industrie- und Chemieparks beispielsweise erhielten keine Reduzierung mehr, sodass die Brenn- und Kraftstoffe, die sie an ihre Kunden, die wiederum im internationalen Wettbewerb stehen, einen deutlichen Preisanstieg erfahren würden. Die Definition energieintensiver Industrien sollte daher dementsprechend angepasst werden, auch Industrie- und Chemieparkbetreiber, Erzeuger und Netzbetreiber sollten in die Auflistung aufgenommen werden. Vermeidung der Besteuerung von kohlenwasserstoffhaltigen Abfällen Aus Sicht des VCI sollten Sonderabfälle von der Besteuerung ausgenommen werden, da keine Alternativen zur Verbrennung von Sonderabfällen existieren. Eine uneinheitliche steuerliche Behandlung führt zu einer ökologisch nicht gewünschten Verlagerung von Abfallströmen zwischen den Mitgliedstaaten oder in Drittländer.
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German chemical industry calls for EU-wide carbon pricing to level playing field

29 Oct 2021
Topic — EU regulation on binding greenhouse gas emission reductions in non-ETS sectors by 2030.
Message — The association requests an EU-wide system for carbon pricing of smaller industrial facilities to prevent competitive disadvantages. They want hazardous waste incineration exempted from carbon pricing since no technical alternatives exist.123
Why — This would eliminate competitive disadvantages from Germany's unilateral carbon pricing for their facilities.45
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Meeting with Filip Alexandru Negreanu Arboreanu (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean), Rachel Smit (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean), Walter Goetz (Cabinet of Commissioner Adina Vălean)

27 Oct 2021 · ReFuelEU Aviation

Response to Policy framework on biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics

26 Oct 2021

Policy Framework on biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics The VCI welcomes the EU Commission's efforts to diversify the raw material portfolio and to increase the use of renewable raw materials in order to create a comprehensive circular economy in the framework of the Green Deal. The use of biodegradable or compostable plastics requires specific conditions, so that controlled biodegradation or composting can take place. Thus, such biodegradable or compostable products can offer a solution for certain consumer benefits and certain disposal scenarios. However, these products explicitly do not provide a solution for littering or the presence of plastic waste in the (marine) environment. Compostable materials should be used where their use offers an advantage, e.g. food adhesions that remain in contact with the packaging are metabolised together into biomass during composting and are suitable for land use. This would limit them to applications such as linings for food caddies, coffee capsules, food service items and packaging that contains food residues and cannot yet be recycled in an economically or technically simple way at the time present. There are other niche applications for biodegradable plastics, where their very special application profile unfolds. For example, at major events where e.g. food leftovers cannot be collected separately from service packaging and the biodegradable tableware is pre-composted on site together with the food leftovers in mobile plants and then further treated in industrial fermentation or composting. However, this requires clear communication and strict control that no other potential waste, such as disposable bottles made of other plastics, is brought to the event. Furthermore, there are isolated areas where the use of biodegradable plastics can be advantageous over conventional ones, such as in viticulture (e.g. pheromone traps), agriculture (e.g. thin mulch films, < 25 µm) and in the medical sector. The following prerequisites should be met for these individual cases. Firstly, in biowaste collection, uniform test criteria should be applied for all articles irrespective of their material type, e.g. bag types such as paper and other compostable bags. As a result, the compost will only contain certified products that are approved according to a relevant standard (for example, EN 13432 and EN 14995 for industrial compostability, AS 5810 for home and garden composting, EN 17033 for mulch films, EN 14995 for fresh water etc.). Secondly, with regard to the implementation of the EU Single Use Plastics Directive (SUP Directive), a harmonised concrete shaping and labelling is welcomed. Rules for measuring the recyclate content should take into account the criteria developed by industry in the context of the CPA work – where corresponding criteria and requirements are to be developed, which can ideally be formulated in standards. This also includes the equal promotion of recyclate content verified by mass balancing. A partial substitution of fossil raw materials by waste or bio-based raw materials at highly efficient, integrated chemical sites generally makes it impossible to directly trace carbon originating from alternative sources. For this reason, the alternative raw material is allocated to the end products by calculation, similar to the "green electricity" approach. Therefore, the recognition of externally certified mass balance approaches and the equivalent promotion of mass balance-allocated recyclate content are important prerequisites for a gradual transformation of raw material supplies.
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German Chemical Industry Warns Against Cuts to Free ETS Allowances

26 Oct 2021
Topic — EU Emissions Trading System reform to achieve 55% emission reduction by 2030.
Message — The organization requests maintaining free allowance allocations and opposes linking them to investment requirements. They argue the proposed 4.2% annual linear reduction factor and tightened benchmarks create massive cost increases. They demand electricity price compensation be expanded to enable electrification.1234
Why — This would reduce compliance costs and preserve their international competitive position.56
Impact — Downstream industries face higher costs without carbon border adjustment protection.7
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Response to Sustainable food system – setting up an EU framework

26 Oct 2021

VCI und DIB begrüßen die Möglichkeit die Folgenabschätzung der Kommission zur Schaffung eines nachhaltigen Lebensmittelsystems zu kommentieren. Wir unterstützen die Ziele des Green Deal, der Farm to Fork und der Biodiversitätsstrategie. Gerade der europäische Green Deal mit seinen ehrgeizigen Zielen zu Klima, Bioökonomie, Biodiversität, Landwirtschaft, Gesundheitswirtschaft und Lebensmittelwirtschaft benötigt Innovationen. Um diese Ziele zu verwirklichen, werden eine Reihe von Lösungen erforderlich sein, die unter anderem von der Biotechnologie als einer Schlüsseltechnologie kommen können. Wir begrüßen das Ziel der Initiative zunächst allgemeingültige Prinzipien und Kriterien der Nachhaltigkeit zu definieren. Diese Kriterien sollten dann für alle Produkte gleichermaßen gelten, unabhängig von der Herstellungsmethode. Die Förderung von Investitionen in nachhaltige Produktionsmethoden muss technologieoffen gestaltet sein. Um dies sicherzustellen, müssen stets alle drei Säulen der Nachhaltigkeit betrachtet werden. Dabei gilt es zu bedenken, dass auch der Ausschluss bestimmter Technologien, Auswirkungen auf die Nachhaltigkeit haben kann. Beispielsweise haben Pflanzenerzeugnisse aus moderner Züchtung schon jetzt das Potenzial, zu einem widerstandsfähigeren und nachhaltigeren Agrar- und Lebensmittelsystem beizutragen. Auch die Kommission hat dies in Ihrer Initiative zur Schaffung eines neuen Rechtsrahmens für Pflanzen aus bestimmten genomischen Techniken (NGT) anerkannt. NGTs und ihre Produkte können einen Beitrag zur Erreichung der Ziele des Green Deal, der Farm to Fork und der Biodiversitätsstrategie sowie den Nachhaltigkeitszielen der Vereinten Nationen (SDGs) leisten. Wir unterstützen daher das Ziel diese Initiative. Wir begrüßen das Ziel den Verbraucher zu einer informierten Kaufentscheidung zu befähigen, beispielsweise indem Nachhaltigkeits- oder Gesundheitsaspekte eines Produktes im Rahmen der Kennzeichnung aufgenommen werden. Für die Zulassung von Produkten sollten aber weiterhin ausschließlich Sicherheitsaspekte betrachtet werden.
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German Chemical Industry Calls for Abolition of Market Stability Reserve

14 Oct 2021
Topic — EU proposal to extend stricter Market Stability Reserve rules until 2030.
Message — The organization requests abolition of the Market Stability Reserve and opposes extending the stricter intake rules to 2030. They argue emissions trading needs no additional quantity steering beyond the cap, and the reserve's deletion mechanism unnecessarily tightens certificate scarcity. They want freed certificates used for transformation funding instead.12
Why — This would reduce carbon pricing pressure and compliance costs for chemical manufacturers.34
Impact — Environmental groups lose a mechanism that accelerates emissions reductions through tighter supply.5
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Meeting with Anne Funch Jensen (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager)

24 Sept 2021 · Draft State aid Guidelines on Climate, environmental protection and Energy

Response to Simplification and digitalisation of labels on chemicals (CLP, Detergents, Fertilising Products)

15 Sept 2021

Concerning substances and mixtures to be used by consumers, the GHS is only used in the European Economic Area (EEA) and very few countries outside the EEA. The Fitness Check of the most relevant chemicals legislation (excluding REACH) found that labels are overloaded with information, especially for consumers. Therefore, we support a ’simplification’ by omitting certain labelling requirements in case of consumer products and by allowing for digital means to communicate information items. The assessment of potential simplifications should cover the CLP, Detergents Regulations, Fertilising Products Regulation and Biocidal Products Regulation. As the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) is currently not named in the scope of the IIA, we recommend to explicitly include this Regulation into the scope of this roadmap. However, for professional and industrial use of substances and mixtures, changes regarding CLP labelling requirements should only be made in accordance with the UN-GHS. For these, the GHS system serves as an internationally consistent base for classification, labelling and packaging. Furthermore, the UN GHS Committee of Experts on the GHS itself is currently exploring options to make use of digital labelling. Therefore, all initiatives on streamlining GHS label requirements including the use of digital labelling are welcome to be included into respective UN GHS activities. Any unilateral changes impacting GHS requirements for professional and industrial use of substances and mixtures should be avoided. In line with the current status of the discussion on UN GHS level, we recommend that for professional and industrial use of substances and mixtures, digital means of labelling are only used in addition to physical labelling, not instead of. It is imperative that safety-relevant information is always applied to product labels physically which can be read without technical aids. Digital tools could also be used on a voluntary basis to provide additional end-user targeted information and/or to link information with respect to consumer products, which are already available/published (e.g., composition information on detergents as requested by the EU Detergent Regulation). The way and content of digitised information should be oriented to the respective target group, be it safe use instructions for industrial settings or guidance for consumers. Therefore, any assessment of digital labelling options should clearly differentiate between industrial, professional and consumer use. In this context, sector-specific solutions may be of interest as well. It has to be ensured that physical labels that comply with the UN GHS requirements (according to the building blocks implemented in CLP) can continue to be used in the EU. Further possibilities to simplify labels (e.g. multilingual labels, fold-out labels, reduced requirements for consumer products) and to use digital labels (e.g. partial shifting of label elements into digital labels) as a voluntary option for the manufacturer should be evaluated and introduced where appropriate. The study announced by the Commission, which is to be carried out in the context of the planned labelling changes, should be conducted in close cooperation with the industry to identify possible digitalisation options taking into account the highly differentiated wide varieties of user needs. However, in our view, those amendments of the hazard-based labelling regulations are not necessary to achieve the protection goals of the European chemicals policy, as the objectives are already covered by the existing chemicals legislation. A balanced approach is required that, on the one hand, considers the relevant and immediately recognizable hazard information, and on the other hand, makes it possible to share other relevant information in digital form.
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Response to European Bioeconomy Policy: Stocktaking and future developments

30 Aug 2021

Following feedback from VCI you can also find in the attachment, including contact details. The bioeconomy has strategic importance for the chemical-pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry in Germany in a global growth strategy. The German Chemical Industry Association therefore supports an ambitious implementation of the updated 2018 EU Bioeconomy Strategy. We welcome the activity to assess the progress of the Strategy and the 14 actions outlined therein. In terms of research and development, there has already been some progress in the development of a bio-based economy. For example, under Horizon 2020, EU R&I funds support e.g. through the Bio-based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU), which has attracted investment, spurred innovation, and created new value chains. The importance of research and innovation in the bioeconomy was re-emphasised in the 2018 Bioeconomy Strategy and is now demonstrated through the continuation of a dedicated institutional partnership, the Circular Bio-Based Europe Joint Undertaking, as well as through Horizon Europe Cluster 6 on Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment. However, there is still clear potential to promote, strengthen and expand bio-based sectors and support for access to investment and markets. Potential innovations from 'game changer' technologies such as biotechnology need to move more quickly from research in academic and industry laboratories to industrial scale production, to market and into application. One support alongside the thematic investment platform for the circular economy could be an IPCEI (Important Project of Common European Interest) circular bioeconomy. The IPCEI should implement different stages from research to industrial application. The EU policy landscape has changed since the publication of the Bioeconomy Strategy in 2018, mainly through the EU Green Deal and ist many associated strategies. For example, as recognised in the November 2019 Council Conclusions, there are synergies between the Bioeconomy Strategy and various Green Deal initiatives including the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Biodiversity Strategy, and the Industrial Strategy. It is critical to integrate the bioeconomy throughout relevant EU policies and to strengthen the interplay between key EU policies in order to achieve the objectives set out in the Bioeconomy Strategy as well as the overall EU Green Deal ambitions. All facets of the bioeconomy, including the blue bioeconomy, should be taken into account and expanded. Especially with regard to establishing a bioeconomy in Europe, which is characterised by the linkage to many other EU strategies, it is important to create internationally competitive framework conditions that keep up with the pace of innovation in the biotechnology sector. This includes: the removal of existing barriers to innovation for biotechnology along value chains, reliable regulation for the supply of raw materials for industrial biotechnology, efficient science-based European approval procedures for biotechnological products, and considerably accelerated market access. The EU Commission still has room for improvement in this area. One example is the regulation of new genomic techniques (NGT). The EU Commission recognizes in the study that NGTs are widely used internationally, in agriculture, industrial production and in the health sector. In the EU and internationally, there is considerable in NGT-related research and development in agriculture, industrial production and the health economy. All areas of the bioeconomy. Especially the European Green Deal with its ambitious goals on climate, bioeconomy, biodiversity, agriculture, health economy and food economy needs innovations. Achieving these goals and creating a climate-neutral and sustainable European economy will require a range of solutions will be required which can come, among others, from biotechnology as a key technology.
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German chemical industry urges longer implementation for sustainability reporting

14 Jul 2021
Topic — The European Commission is revising rules for corporate sustainability and environmental reporting.
Message — VCI recommends a 24-36 month delay before enforcing new sustainability reporting requirements. They also request flexibility to publish sustainability data separately from financial reports.12
Why — This delay would help companies avoid high costs when retrofitting IT systems.3
Impact — Investors lose immediate access to data needed for informed sustainable investment decisions.4
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Response to Commission Delegated Regulation on taxonomy-alignment of undertakings reporting non-financial information

2 Jun 2021

The concept of sustainable finance can provide an important stimulus for investors and thus drive forward the ambitious transformation. VCI supports the guiding principle that obligations for investors and benchmarks for a low-carbon economy should be defined according to specific criteria. The reporting of these criteria requires clear and consistent guidelines. We would like to highlight the following aspects. Appropriate flexibility for implementing reporting obligations: The introduction of reporting processes as well as the development of concepts and their implementation is a multi-year process. This should be especially considered against the background of reporting obligations of the taxonomy regulation foreseen for the reporting period 2021 and the criteria and methods to be applied not yet being finalized. Appropriate transition and implementation timelines: While phased-in reporting obligations are foreseen in the current draft, this will still cause compliance challenges and liability risks for market players in addition to uncertainty for investors. Despite the “lighter” reporting obligation focusing on the disclosure of the share of eligible and non-eligible activities without providing the KPIs for the reporting period 2021, the preparatory screening process of a company’s activities requires time to allow for a thorough analysis. It remains unclear if the share of (non-)eligible activities is to be disclosed regarding turnover alone or whether also OpEx and CapEx must be addressed in the 2021 reporting period. The given narrow and very specific OpEx-definition is not typically retrievable in a company’s financial system. Additional adaptations are required to provide this information not only for aligned but all economic activities of a company (denominator of the KPIs). Furthermore, Art. 9 (3) obliges financial and non-financial undertakings to provide in the financial report the key performance indicators covering the previous five reporting periods. For the reporting period 2021 only the KPIs for 2021 are reported. The full five-year-history should thus only be required as of reporting period 2025. Considering the challenges at hand, the scope of the phased-in approach needs to be further clarified. Additionally, a realistic transition and implementation period to phase in this obligation successively should be provided to avoid unreasonable bureaucratic burden. Clarification of key definitions clarified: We consider the differentiation between “eligible” and “non-eligible” activities an appropriate measure to allow for further elaboration on the share of economic activities that is not covered by the taxonomy criteria. The term “operating expenditure” should be elaborated upon in greater detail to ensure companies can disclose the correct information without imposing undue administrative burden. The scope for its calculation remains unclear in the proposal at hand and requires further guidance. This is also valid for the calculation of the share of aligned activities regarding investments. Furthermore, the concept of “directly enabling other activities” remains ambiguous. In our current reading, it is unclear whether ‘enabling’ is limited to the next step in the value chain and how it relates to the lifecycle perspective. Take account of sensitive data: Article 1.1.2.2. (Numerator) foresees the disclosure of the CapEx-plan and its approval by the Management Board of non-financial undertakings. As such plans may entail sensitive data and competition-relevant information, the delegated act should only foresee the verification of the existence of the CapEx-plan by the auditors without further disclosure requirements. Furthermore, CapEx-plans are not explicitly approved by the Management Board in all cases. Since this approval may be delegated to other bodies, the definition of “approved by the Management Board” should be further clarified.
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Response to Ecodesign and energy labelling working plan 2020-2024

31 May 2021

VCI comment on the Commission’s Roadmap on the Ecodesign and energy labelling working plan 2020-2024 The German Chemical Industry welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the Commission’s Roadmap on the Ecodesign and energy labelling working plan 2020-2024. We are highly committed to bringing save products to the market with a low environmental impact, while maximizing value for the consumers and the society. Ecodesign is an opportunity in the energy sector to improve the environmental performance of energy-related products by banning the worst performing products. However, it is important to always take a holistic view of product performance, i.e. in terms of the product's benefit and purpose, taking its entire life cycle into account. Therefore, product design must be viewed holistically, always considering product safety and the "design for performance" aspect. This is the only way to achieve a genuine "Design for Sustainability" instead of a merely one-dimensional "Design for Recycling" approach. Products must be innovative, to drive forward the circular economy and/or climate protection. Comments to the aims of the Roadmap “The currently unregulated product groups that are of interest to be studied in detail for potential regulation in the next years” --> By regulating further product groups, one must consider that the eco-design requirements cannot simply be transferred to other products or sectors. If the range of products is extended, there is a risk that environmental performance in other sectors will be subject to completely different rules and criteria than originally thought. This could lead to manufacturers no longer being allowed to place their products on the market. Thus, the scope of the Ecodesign directive should stick to the original sector of energy-related products. “The environmental and circular economy aspects and ways of addressing them should receive increased attention. In addition to energy efficiency, several regulations address pollutant emissions, durability, reparability, recyclability etc. but there is likely scope for further addressing these and other aspects of material efficiency and ecological profile of products. The current Ecodesign Directive provides scope for addressing further environmental aspects” -->It is important to always take a holistic view of product performance, i.e. in terms of the product's benefit and purpose, taking its entire life cycle into account. Product design must be viewed holistically, always considering product safety and the "design for performance" aspect. This is the only way to achieve a genuine "Design for Sustainability". Therefore, it is in principle positive that "sustainability principles" will be considered in future regulation under Ecodesign. But this must happen in coherence with existing instruments for regulating products. At the same time, the risk of competing and parallel legislation must be avoided. Existing EU regulatory law in the areas of environmental protection, product safety and chemicals law already ensure protection of humans and the environment in the design of products based on the highest standards worldwide. Furthermore, the Ecodesign Directive does not have the task of imposing restrictions or limits on general requirements of substances. Horizontal legislation, e.g. REACH should be used for risk management. Restrictions or bans on substances within the Ecodesign directive would cause inconsistencies/double regulation and must be avoided. Recycled content is mentioned as one criterion which is to be horizontally strengthened. In this context, it should be considered that advanced mechanical and new chemical recycling processes will be critical to provide additional, high quality recycled materials for products which must meet high quality standards. VCI therefore believes that the Ecodesign Directive will benefit from including chemical recycling and mass balanced recycled content into the criteria.
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Response to Revision of EU legislation on hazard classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals

28 May 2021

On 4 May 2021, the EU Commission published its Inception Impact Assessment regarding the proposed CLP Revision. This roadmap to be commented on in this context is part of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. The CLP Regulation regulates the classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals and implements the internationally valid Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of the United Nations (UN) in the EU. The GHS system serves as an internationally consistent basis for classification, labelling and packaging. It is of utmost interest to industry to maintain the achieved harmonisation. Any unilateral changes e.g. by introducing new hazard classes and categories into the CLP regulation by the European Union, must be avoided. The EU COM aims at “having a leading role and promoting the implementation of existing international instruments” and to “promote, together with industry, the implementation of the Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (UN GHS) as the means for identifying chemical hazards”. However, any unilateral implementation of new hazard classes without consultation of the UN GHS is contradictory in this regard. The stated assumption that the GHS may just follow the EU CLP and implement identical criteria is unrealistic and disregards the work of the UN GHS Committee of Experts. Whereas some of the proposed updates of existing requirements under the CLP regulation are welcomed, e.g. clarification of labelling requirements and the explicit consideration of online marketing, the idea of implementing new hazard classes as a basis for generic risk management, e.g. for endocrine disruptors, however, seem to be based on a general misunderstanding of the Globally Harmonised System. The primary objective of the CLP Regulation is to inform actors in the supply chain about potential adverse effects of substances and mixtures by classifying them and labelling them appropriately based on this classification. Risk management generally is not in scope of the GHS, and GHS hazard classification should generally not be used for risk management decisions without additional risk assessment (i.e. no automatism). Furthermore, the proposed new hazard classes and criteria do not meet the OECD definition of “hazard”, and adverse effects caused by endocrine disruptors are already covered by existing GHS hazard classes. In our view, the amendment of the CLP Regulation is not necessary to achieve the protection goals of the European chemicals policy as the objectives are already covered by existing chemicals legislation. The timeline set by the EU Commission for amending the CLP Regulation is very ambitious. For this reason, an intensive dialogue between industry and authorities is needed before any legal regulations are adapted. In this context, VCI thanks the EU Commission for the opportunity to comment on the proposed amendments to the CLP Regulation. A detailed comments section can be found in the attached document.
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Meeting with Andrea Beltramello (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis), Caroline Boeshertz (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis) and

28 May 2021 · Sustainable corporate governance and due diligence

Response to Revision of EU legislation on registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals

27 May 2021

The EU Chemicals Strategy intends large numbers of amendments and extensions of the existing chemicals legislation. These will have major impacts on both the chemical industry and users of chemicals (substances, mixtures and articles). The chemical-pharmaceutical industry is a key sector that stands at the beginning of many value and supply chains and can play a major role as a driver in achieving the ambitious goals of the Green Deal, e. g. in climate protection, and in further advancing digitalisation and high-quality supplies of medicines. Thus, regulatory options for achieving ambitious goals must be designed in such a way that value creation continues to take place in the EU. They must go hand in hand with increasing the ability to innovate and improving the international competitiveness of the industry. Planning security with a stable and predictable legal framework is crucial. Fundamental aspects - The goals of the Chemicals Strategy should be achieved primarily within the framework of existing legislation. - To shape the Chemicals Strategy, a knowledge-based and open-ended dialogue with all stakeholders is needed, in order to prepare and evaluate various options for action, including cost-benefit impact assessments. Rushed action is not appropriate in relation to the size of the project. - The further development of the chemicals legislation should be based on the precautionary principle, which provides for comprehensive scientific assessments, risk assessments and the involvement of stakeholders (cf. COM communication on the precautionary principle). - The diversity of chemicals, research and free market decisions are a basic prerequisite for innovative solutions. - Options should not exclude the use of hazardous substances right from the start but should allow an evaluation with open results. The functionality or reactivity of chemical substances needed for certain uses and processes are often inextricably linked to their hazardous properties. Shaping of regulatory options - Information and data requirements must be proportionate and take into account animal welfare aspects. Where necessary, additional data requirements should therefore be based on a tiered approach that takes into account, inter alia, use and exposure. - In order to consider possible combination effects in the exposure to substances in a targeted manner, if necessary, exclusively in the risk assessment of consumer uses mixture assessment factors specific to substances or substance groups should be applied. Supposedly simple regulatory approaches, such as an additional general assessment factor for all substances registered under REACH, are not acceptable. - Supply chain communication can be simplified by drawing on the experience of the writers and users of extended safety data sheets to agree on best digitalising practices. Harmonised electronic formats must be compatible with systems already established in companies. - To improve dossier and substance evaluation, action plans by public authorities and industry are already being implemented and several implementing regulations have been issued. - The best option for risk management should be identified in transparent procedures with sufficient involvement of relevant stakeholders. - The scope of the authorisation procedure should be focused on specific suitable cases, and the burden of applications for small quantities should be reduced. - The regular restriction procedure allows for balanced risk management and consultations. Therefore, it should not be replaced by the so-called generic approach. Moreover, it must be taken into account that professional uses take place in different conditions than consumer uses. - Export restrictions for products manufactured in Europe should be based solely on internationally agreed and harmonised requirements. - REACH enforcement must be uniform in the EU, consider all actors equally and differentiate between intentional infringements and unintentional errors.
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Response to Modification of the General Block Exemption Regulation for the Green Deal and the Industrial and Digital Strategies

31 Mar 2021

Der VCI begrüßt die Möglichkeit, sich als Vertreter der Interessen von energiekostenintensiven Unternehmen erneut mit einer Stellungnahme an den Konsultationen hinsichtlich der Überarbeitung des EU-Beihilfenrechts zu beteiligen. Dieser Beitrag bezieht sich ausschließlich auf die energiepolitischen Aspekte der Allgemeinen Gruppenfreistellungsverordnung (AGVO). Die Chemieindustrie unterstützt das Ziel der Treibhausgasneutralität bis 2050. Der Transformationsprozess kann allerdings nur gelingen, wenn die richtigen Rahmenbedingungen geschaffen werden. Die europäische Industrie steht in einem harten internationalen Wettbewerb und der Wettbewerbsnachteil der energieintensiven Industrie gegenüber anderen Ländern mit geringeren Energiekosten und niedrigeren Umweltstandards ist besonders hoch. Die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der Industrie muss in jeder Phase der Transformation gesichert sein. Um Marktversagen und mit der Transition zur Treibhausgasneutralität einhergehende Wettbewerbsnachteile auszugleichen, sollte das Wettbewerbs- und Beihilferecht sowie die darauf basierenden Energie- und Umweltbeihilfeleitlinien (UEBLL) der EU-Kommission unter Erhalt der bestehenden Regelung für einen Nachteilsausgleich optimiert werden, damit die Treibhausgasneutralitätsziele im Sinne des Green Deals erreicht werden können. Die überarbeitete AGVO sollte einen Freistellungstatbestand für Beihilfen zur Förderung von treibhausgasneutraler bzw. treibhausgasfreier Produktion und Pilotprojekten enthalten. Die AGVO begrenzt die Förderung pro Antragstellung für ein Vorhaben auf 15 Mio. €, d. h. kumuliert für alle Industriepartner. Eine entsprechende Begrenzung wird der technologischen Komplexität von Pilotprojekten wie Reallaboren im industriellen Maßstab nicht gerecht. Deshalb sollte diese Begrenzung aufgehoben werden. Des Weiteren sollte die AGVO dahingehend überarbeitet werden, dass diese einfacher zu handhaben ist. So sollte bspw. die Auswahl der förderfähigen Referenzanlage im Ermessen des Fördermittelgebers liegen: Bislang erhalten Unternehmen keine Förderung, wenn sie Verbesserungen des Umweltschutzes (Artikel 36 Nr. 5 a AGVO) außerhalb des eigenen Werkszaunes durchführen oder sie im Rahmen eines Projektes eine Wasserstoff-Tankstelle errichten, ein weiterer Projektpartner jedoch bereits die Fahrzeuge gefördert bekommt (Artikel 4 AGVO). Insgesamt ist derzeitige Ausgestaltung der AGVO an vielen Stellen zu komplex und schafft keine ausreichende Rechtssicherheit. Dies betrifft insbesondere Artikel 2 AGVO. Die Vorschrift enthält Begriffsbestimmungen, die die Auslegung der Verordnung erleichtern sollen. Da die Vorschrift allerdings eine Vielzahl an Ausnahmetatbeständen erhält, wird die Verständlichkeit und die Anwendung der Verordnung erschwert.
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Response to Revision of EU rules on Gas

9 Mar 2021

Der VCI befürwortet eine nicht-disruptive und kosteneffektive Transition der Energiemärkte zur Treibhausgasneutralität in planbaren Entwicklungsschritten. Dabei sind Kosteneffizienz und hinreichende Verfügbarkeit treibhausgasneutraler Energieträger zu wettbewerbsfähigen Preisen erforderlich. Andernfalls kann eine Transition in der Industrie nicht gelingen; infolge droht Carbon Leakage. Entsprechende Anreize auf Erzeugungs- und Verbrauchsseite sind erforderlich. Die in der Roadmap dargestellte dauerhaft erforderliche Nutzung von Gasen als Energieträger und Feedstock ist zutreffend. Die technologieoffene Betrachtung der infrage kommenden Gase, welche nicht ausschließlich auf erneuerbare Erzeugung abstellt (z.B. „dekarbonisierter“ Wasserstoff durch CCS-Nutzung) unterstützt der VCI nachdrücklich. Allein die deutsche Chemie wird ihren Wasserstoffbedarf im Zuge der Transition zur Treibhausgasneutralität bis 2050 voraussichtlich von heute 1 Mio. t auf nahezu 7 Mio. t steigern. Zum fortbestehenden heutigen Wasserstoffbedarf, beispielsweise für die Düngemittelproduktion, kommt perspektivisch der Bedarf für die Substitution fossilen Naphthas durch synthetisches Äquivalent hinzu. Zur Deckung dieses großen Bedarfs und des Bedarfs anderer Branchen ist die Nutzung aller verfügbaren Technologien zur treibhausgasarmen Erzeugung von Wasserstoff und Folgeprodukten erforderlich. Deshalb sollte die Chemieindustrie als einer der Hauptanwender dekarbonisierter Gase innerhalb der energieintensiven Branchen dezidiert aufgelistet werden. Die avisierte Anpassung der TEN-E-Verordnung zur Errichtung hinreichender länderübergreifender Infrastrukturen für treibhausgasarm erzeugte Gase und CO2 wird ebenso begrüßt wie die vorgesehenen Maßnahmen für eine integrierte Infrastrukturplanung. Der VCI unterstützt den Aufbau einer länderübergreifenden reinen Wasserstoffinfrastruktur auf Fernleitungs- und Transportebene, wo möglich unter Nutzung nicht mehr benötigter Kapazitäten der bestehenden Erdgasinfrastruktur, um Erzeugungs- mit Lastzentren zu verbinden. Insbesondere im frühen Stadium des Infrastrukturaufbaus werden zahlreiche Wasserstoffnutzer allerdings nicht über einen Wasserstoff-Netzzugang verfügen können. Neben den in der Roadmap aufgezählten „off-grid“-Fällen sollte deshalb ein Regulierungsrahmen für einen bilanziellen Zugang zu dekarbonisierten Gasen mittels europäisch handelbarer Herkunftsnachweise ermöglicht werden. Beimischungen von Wasserstoff in Erdgasnetze sollten nur in Netzbereichen auf Verteilnetzebene erfolgen, in denen sensible Verbrauchseinrichtungen nicht erheblich beeinträchtigt werden. Dies sichert den Betrieb entsprechender Anlagen und die Interoperabilität im europäischen Binnenmarkt. Eine frühe europäische Regulierung der Wasserstoffinfrastruktur ist erforderlich, mit dem Ziel der Schaffung eines barrierefreien Entry-Exit-Systems durch diskriminierungsfreien, regulierten Netzzugang und effiziente Entgeltbildung; für bestehende Wasserstoffnetze sind Übergangsregelungen vorzusehen. Die Finanzierung des Infrastrukturaufbaus sollte mittels einer gemeinsamen Netzentgeltbasis mit den Erdgasnetznutzern erfolgen, da hierdurch das Risiko prohibitiv hoher Entgelte für Wasserstoffnetznutzer minimiert würde. Analog gilt dies umgekehrt auch für zukünftige Szenarien, wenn (im Zuge der Dekarbonisierung) zahlreiche Wasserstoffnetznutzer vergleichsweise wenigen Erdgasnetznutzern entgegenstehen werden. Im Falle getrennter regulatorischer Assets muss eine diskriminierungsfrei zugängliche staatliche Finanzierung bereitgestellt werden, um gerade in der Hochlaufphase eines Wasserstoffmarktes das Risiko prohibitiv hoher Entgelte im Wasserstoffnetz zu mindern und um sicherzustellen, dass sich der Wasserstoffmarkt schnell etablieren kann. Kooperation mit außereuropäischen Partnern ist erforderlich. Geförderte Energiepartnerschaften dürfen jedoch nicht zur Verlagerung nachgelagerter Wertschöpfungsstufen wie Ammoniak, Methanol, Olefine, Aromaten etc. führen.
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Response to A European Health Data Space

2 Feb 2021

VCI welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the roadmap published by the Commission on the European Health Data Space (EHDS). The current Covid-19 pandemic particularly highlights the need for such an initiative to efficiently develop vaccines and treatments while monitoring the spread of the virus. The baseline scenario describes adequately the current situation in the EU. To establish an EHDS, more needs to be done. Therefore, VCI is generally in line with the proposed policy objectives, which we consider as complementary. Objective 1a To enable legally secure access to and exchange of health data for healthcare provision, research, policy-making and regulatory activities an appropriate legal and governance framework is mandatory. Nevertheless, it is important that the legitimate interest of researchers as well as data protection requirements of patients are taken care of. However, every option must be compliant under GDPR, which could be realized by using anonymization or pseudonymization. The availability of high-quality data (governmental and corporate data) is crucial for research of innovative pharmaceutical products. However, VCI emphasizes the indispensability of protecting corporate data and raises concerns regarding government intervention. Compulsory data sharing entails high risks for companies, not only for reasons of know-how protection, but also in terms of competition and antitrust law. The principle of freedom of contract in the private sector should prevail. Objective 1b One of the biggest hurdles for an EHDS is the interoperability of data as stated in the inception impact assessment. Common standards are crucial to boost and improve the exchange of information between researcher institutions. Additionally, a safe and secure data infrastructure is necessary, in which GAIA-X should play an important role. VCI would like to highlight that cybersecurity is critical for an efficient health data space. The recent cyberattack which targeted the EMA in the context of COVID-19 vaccines points out the importance of this issue. The likely economic impacts of not having adequate cybersecurity protection measures may be potentially very large (financial impact as well as damaging the competitiveness of European companies). The impact on fundamental rights due to loss of personal and private data of patients will likely be very large as well. Objective 1c The objective describes the necessity of adequate protection of fundamental rights and ensuring access and control of patients and citizens over their own health data. To achieve this objective, VCI sees the necessity to have a legal framework (objective 1a) and a safe and secure data infrastructure (objective 1b). Patients should always be able to get all relevant information about their medical treatment to optimise the match between patient’s needs and treatment. Objective 2 Cross-border movement of digital health services and products like the exchange of electronic health records or digital health applications should also be part of the EHDS. Such applications could significantly improve the provision of health services in rural areas. However, a pre-requisite is a capable data-infrastructure based on FTTH, 5G and semantic interoperability standards. Objective 3 VCI supports that digital heath products and services must be trustworthy (see comment above on cybersecurity). Regarding the use of AI, VCI would like to highlight that a future regulation does not hamper innovation, while considering the necessary protection of personal data. Conclusion VCI thanks the Commission for taking the initiative to improve the availability and interoperability of data in the health sector. The EHDS would be an important step towards a more competitive European health industry and a better provision of European citizens with digital and innovative health services. However, certain issues like cybersecurity and regulation with a sense of proportion are mandatory.
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Meeting with Laure Chapuis (Cabinet of Commissioner Kadri Simson)

28 Jan 2021 · - the status of the Climate Law; - the ongoing preparation of the Fit for 55% package.

Meeting with Anouk Faber (Cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit), Christoph Nerlich (Cabinet of Commissioner Nicolas Schmit)

25 Jan 2021 · employment situation in the chemical sector, including skills

Response to Revision of EU Ambient Air Quality legislation

13 Jan 2021

The VCI represents the politico-economic interests of around 1,700 German chemical companies and German subsidiaries of foreign businesses. In 2019 the German chemical industry realised sales of over 198 billion euros (equal to 1/3 of the Europe-an chemical industry) and employed around 464,000 staff. We welcome the consultation of stakeholders about the roadmap for updating the Air Quality Directives. Especially every additional requirement needs to be checked and assessed in terms of rel-evance, effectiveness, feasibility, costs and bureaucracy. According to our opinion a revision of the Ambient Air Quality Directives is not necessary at present. The chemical industry is committed to continuous improvement through innovation in order to reduce negative impacts on environment and human health. However, an emission-free production is not possible and the objective to minimize harmful impacts to the environment should only be based on the well-established assessment princi-ples for a risk-based approach. This implies a comparison of exposure levels to thresholds raising a concern. The initiative to revise the Ambient Air Quality Directives should not only be in line with the European Green Deal’s zero pollution ambition action plan but also with other overarching action programs. No additional goals should be set, and any dou-ble regulation should be avoided to guarantee coherence of EU regulation. We do not know how the emission situation might be in the next 5 to 15 years. But what we know is that it will change dramatically. Triggered by of the transformation under the light of the Green Deal and its zero pollution ambition as well as the revi-sion of the IED and E-PRTR regulation. New or additional requirements beyond the aforementioned won’t make this transmission better or faster. Moreover, we fear that new requirements will contradict planning reliability or lead to additional bureaucracy cost. •We do not need an amendment of the air quality directive at the moment. Due to the transformation of the whole industry in Europe the air pollution will de-crease dramatically. •The Commission concludes in its own report that current legislation provides the necessary tools to achieve the air quality goals. No further requirements are needed. •The transposition and implementation of the NERC directive and WGC BREF will lead to further reductions of emissions into air from the production of chemicals. •A cost-benefit assessment is indispensable and essential, i.e. not only consider-ing the benefits caused by environmental protection in a realistic manner, but also the costs for achieving the pursued goals. Scarce monetary resources should be allocated in the most efficient and effective way possible. Please find attachted our detailed position paper about the roadmap and the consultation.
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Response to State aid rules for Research, Development and Innovation

12 Jan 2021

Bitte entnehmen Sie unsere Stellungnahme dem beigefügten Papier. Please see the attached paper for our position.
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Response to 8th Environment Action Programme

22 Dec 2020

The VCI represents the politico-economic interests of around 1,700 German chemical companies. In 2019 the German chemical industry realised sales of over 198 billion euros (equal to 1/3 of the Europe-an chemical industry) and employed around 464,000 staff. The goals and requirements described in the 8th EAP cannot be realised in isolation from the international community. The chemical industry is highly exposed to international competition, both within and outside the EU. Every additional requirement needs to be checked and assessed in terms of feasibility, for its effectiveness and causing (bureaucracy) costs. Limited resources in the companies must be used in a most effective manner. For that it must be very clear from the beginning what and how the goals of the 8th EAP should be implemented in environmental legislation. Existing specific legislation on water, air, waste, chemicals, etc. fulfils its purpose and ensures a high level of environmental and health protection. To find the best techniques/measures in Europe for circularity, climate neutrality, biodiversity, water and air quality, these must follow the principle of an integrated and risk-based approach to avoid transfer from one compartment to another (e.g. air to water and vice versa). In the case of soil, the level of concern and the soil conditions in the Member States in the EU are very different. Therefore, no EU activity is necessary for soil (“Subsidiarity Principle”). With its innovative products, processes and solutions, the chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology industries contribute significantly to the sustainable use of natural resources. These contributions should be acknowledged, particularly when setting new targets, calculation models and possible funding mechanisms. Consistent, clear and reliable framework conditions in environmental and energy law as well as procedural law are essential to guarantee fast and legally secure approval procedures as well as reliable decisions. In implementing the 8th Environmental Action Programme and the Chemicals Strategy, particular attention should be paid to the following: •Stability and planning security in the chemicals legislation With many innovative solutions, the chemical-pharmaceutical industry con-tributes to achieving the ambitious goals of the Green Deal e.g. in climate pro-tection and to driving forward digitalisation and high-quality medicines supply. However, the industry needs a stable legal framework for this. Discussions about comprehensive changes in legislation cause an unnecessary lack of certainty. Moreover, this debate could slow down the efforts of many companies to manage the corona crisis. •No use of an overly narrow definition of sustainability For a sustainable use of chemicals, their entire life cycle must be taken into account. Besides effects on humans and the environment it is also important to consider the economic efficiency of their use. Function or reactivity of substances are often associated with hazardous properties. Ultimately, the deci-sive point should be that and how they can be used safely and without major risks. •Maintain the risk-based approach under REACH and international con-sistency with CLP The risk-based approach under REACH must be maintained, as this is often the only way to enable effective, efficient and proportionate risk management. Global harmonisation efforts in chemicals legislation should not be under-mined by European go-it-alone action in CLP hazard classes. •Constructive dialogue and impact assessment are needed The planned high-level roundtable should facilitate a constructive and, above all, open-ended dialogue with a participation of industry, before concrete proposals are made for amending existing legislation. Furthermore, impact assessments are necessary. A detailed position on chemicals strategy is available:https://www.vci.de/ergaenzende-downloads/2020-11-09-vci-position-en-eu-chemicals-strategy.pdf
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Response to Climate change mitigation and adaptation taxonomy

18 Dec 2020

We welcome the opportunity to provide feedback on the first draft delegated act of the EU Taxonomy Regulation. The concept of sustainable finance can provide an important stimulus for investors and thus drive forward the ambitious transformation. VCI supports the guiding principle that obligations for investors and benchmarks for a low-carbon economy should be defined according to specific criteria. We would like to highlight the following aspects in particular: Inclusive thresholds for transformation When designing the taxonomy, it is important to consider all activities that can contribute to the success of the transformation of our economy towards more sustainability in the short, medium and long term. The basis for this should always be a technology-neutral approach. Quantitative targets must be ambitious, but above all realistically achievable, especially for technologies that are of great importance for the transition. It must be ensured that existing plants can continue to operate and then be further optimised while they are gradually replaced by new technologies. Of particular importance for the chemical industry are, for example, the limits (100g CO2e/kWh) for gas-fired and CHP power plants. From a climate policy perspective, these limits do not seem reasonable. Gas-fired and CHP power plants will be needed for a transitional period to compensate for the loss of capacity, especially for coal. The emission limits must therefore be set in such a way that investments in these power plants, including their operation, are classified as sustainable. Coherence with existing legislation and EU strategies The coherence of the targets under the EU taxonomy with existing policies and legislation must be ensured. Still, regarding the EU hydrogen strategy, for example, the taxonomy defines incoherent criteria. The EU strategy provides for hydrogen production from renewable energy sources as a long-term goal. In the short and medium term, however, other forms of hydrogen production also play an important role. Yet, the thresholds in the annex of the delegated act specify thresholds (2.256 tCO2e/tH2) incompatible with the goals of the hydrogen strategy and are also stricter than the original recommendation of the Technical Expert Group (TEG) of the EU Commission (5.8 tCO2e/tH2). Maintaining technological neutrality The sustainable transformation of the economy will only succeed if new technologies and investments in research and development are promoted. Innovative technologies must be recognised as part of the solution in a technology-neutral framework. Thus, we welcome the consideration of the manufacturing sector for the development of a circular economy for plastics (Mitigation Annex, p. 96/166). However, we are critical of the restrictive wording to recognise only mechanical recycling for non-hazardous wastes regarding the potential of chemical recycling as a complementary technology. Chemical recycling is not considered for the recovery of these waste streams, although in the future the technology can contribute to opening up waste streams that are currently primarily incinerated, exported or landfilled. In particular, the application of the EU taxonomy to research and development (section 9.1) needs to be technology-neutral and consider all technological solutions and apply appropriate criteria and methodologies for assessing technological impacts. In addition, key aspects of technology development need to be taken into account (e.g. time, impact assessment and requirements for scaling up innovative technologies). Please find attached our comprehensive remarks on the draft delegated act. We appreciate if our comments are being taken into account and look forward to further contributing to the development and review of technical screening criteria. We are at your disposal for any queries and look forward to future exchanges.
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Response to Commission Decision determining the benchmarks values for free allocation in the period 2021-2025

18 Dec 2020

VCI Contribution: Commission Decision determining the benchmarks values for free allocation in the period 2021-2025 Special impact of the heat benchmark: The draft benchmark regulation regulates that the benchmarks will be updated according to data collection via member states on ETS installations. In the case of the heat benchmark the Commission should consider the following: • Even a reduction by 0.5%/year would result in an allocation benchmark of 57.6 t CO2/TJ and thus in a mathematical fuel efficiency rate of 98.4% for the 1st benchmark period; referred to the 2nd benchmark period this would result in an allocation benchmark of 56.7 t CO2/TJ and a fuel efficiency rate of 100%. • On the technical side, this is impossible to achieve for the following reasons: The existing heat benchmark (62.3 EUA/TJ heat) assumes a gas-fired boiler with an efficiency rate of 90% (emission factor natural gas: 56 t CO2/TJ; heat benchmark: 56/0.9 = 62.3 EUA/TJ heat). Natural gas is the most CO2-friendly fossil fuel (e.g. as compared with coal, fuel oil …). The emission factor cannot be influenced because it is given due to the composition of the natural gas. • The heat benchmark has to reflect the availability of resources and the competitiveness of heat production and of subsequent heat users within the value chain. Updating the heat-benchmark without taking into account resource availability would lead to a tightening of the benchmark that goes beyond what is possible at EU level. Therefore, the update should be based on using natural gas as generally available energy input resource for heat production. This means, that within the 10% best heat producers, biomass and RDF driven installations shall not be taken into account. • Consequently, the only option for further emission improvements would be an efficiency increase in steam generation beyond 90%. Today, new gas boilers are designed to reach an efficiency of ca. 92%. But in real operation that efficiency rate is rarely reached constantly (e.g. due to modulating operation or part-load). • This fact is recognized also by the EU Commission in the Energy Efficiency Directive: In the revision of the efficiency reference values in 2015 for separate heat production the Commission left the reference value for natural gas-fired heat generation – also for new installations with first operation from 31 December 2015 – unchanged at 90% (Commission delegated regulation (EU) 2015/2402 of 12 October 2015 reviewing harmonised efficiency reference values for separate production of electricity and heat in application of Directive 2004/8/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Implementing Decision 2011/877/EU).
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Response to Revision of the Energy and Environmental Aid Guidelines (EEAG)

10 Dec 2020

VCI nimmt als Vertreter der Interessen von energieintensiven Unternehmen, die auf eine global orientierte Wettbewerbspolitik angewiesen sind, wie folgt Stellung. In den Umwelt- und Energiebeihilfeleitlinien (UEBLL) muss die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der EU berücksichtigt werden. Die europäische Industrie steht in einem harten internationalen Wettbewerb und der Wettbewerbsnachteil der energieintensiven Industrie gegenüber anderen Ländern mit geringeren Energiekosten und niedrigen Umweltstandards ist besonders hoch. Um die internationale Spitzenposition auch in Zukunft halten zu können, ist es besonders wichtig, ein internationales Level-Playing-Field zu schaffen, das alle Maßnahmen einer nachhaltigen Energie- und Klimapolitik umfasst. Dies gilt umso mehr vor dem Hintergrund zukünftig steigender Belastungen durch die Steigerung des Ambitionsniveaus im Klimaschutz. Hinsichtlich der Überarbeitung der Leitlinien für die energieintensiven Industrien erwägt die Kommission zwei Möglichkeiten: Zum einen eine einfache Aktualisierung der Liste der förderfähigen Sektoren, zum anderen eine Spiegelung der kürzlich aktualisierten Vorschriften über staatliche Beihilfen für den indirekten Kostenausgleich für die 4. HP des EU-ETS. Beide Vorschläge sind nicht angemessen. Eine Aktualisierung der Liste der Sektoren kann z.B. das Problem nicht beheben, dass die der Sektorenauswahl zugrundeliegenden Kriterien den wettbewerblichen Gegebenheiten nicht gerecht werden. So kann eine statistisch erfasste Handelsintensität keinen potenziellen Wettbewerb berücksichtigen, d.h. den Fall, dass keine grenzüberschreitende Handelsaktivität (Import) vorliegt, diese aber durch die Einführung bestimmter energiekostentreibender Maßnahmen unmittelbar ausgelöst würde. Zudem berücksichtigen die Kriterien nicht, dass Unternehmen, die Hilfsenergien für die energieintensive Produktion zuliefern, über energieintensive Wertschöpfungsketten mittelbar ebenfalls im internationalen Wettbewerb stehen. Der Begünstigtenkreis der Strompreiskompensation (SPK) darf nicht für die UEBLL gespiegelt werden, denn er greift bereits bei der SPK viel zu kurz, um den Prozess der Elektrifizierung in den energieintensiven Industrien zu unterstützen. Stattdessen sollte der Fokus auf dem Transformationsprozess bis 2050 liegen, bei gleichzeitiger Erhaltung der globalen Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der energieintensiven Industrien (einschließlich Carbon-Leakage-Schutz). Dazu müssen in der EU weitere Instrumente eingeführt werden, denn die derzeitigen Instrumente reichen nicht aus, um die, aufgrund der erforderlichen Klimaschutzmaßnahmen nötig werdenden Investitionen zur Erreichung der Klimaziele zu tätigen sowie die erhöhten Produktionskosten gegenüber Regionen ohne entsprechende Klimaschutzmaßnahmen zu kompensieren. Die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit könnte unter anderem durch die Einführung von geeignet ausgestalteten CCfD gesichert werden. Die künftigen UEBLL sollten mit Blick auf die neuen Instrumente überarbeitet und dementsprechend angepasst werden. Ebenso erwägt die Kommission eine Erweiterung der derzeitigen Kompatibilitätskriterien der UEBLL. Der Anwendungsbereich der künftigen Leitlinien muss auf weitere Technologien und Marktinnovationen erweitert werden. Die derzeitigen Leitlinien umfassen keine technologieneutralen Förderungen. Dies ist allerdings erforderlich, um den enormen Transformationsprozess erfolgreich bewältigen zu können. Die Erweiterung des Anwendungsbereichs der UEBLL könnte somit die Transformation der Industrie wirksam unterstützen. Des Weiteren ist ein regulatorischer Rahmen, in dem Sicherheit für Investitionen herrscht, die Basis für einen zukunftssicheren Wirtschaftsstandort Europa. Da Beihilfen lediglich befristet sind, führt dies bei betroffenen Unternehmen zu Planungsunsicherheiten. Insbesondere bei Investitionen in Kraftwerken sind Lebensdauern von deutlich über 20 Jahren realistisch. Ebenso müssen die Regelungen hinreichend offen für sich verändernde Rahmenbedingungen sein.
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Response to New EU Soil Strategy - healthy soil for a healthy life

4 Dec 2020

"Subsidiaritätsprinzip steht EU-Regelung für den Boden entgegen" Die Initiative der EU-Kommission und verschiedener Ratspräsidentschaften bezüglich der Schaffung eines EU-Rechtsrahmens für den Bodenschutz (Entwicklung einer EU-Bodenschutz-Rahmenrichtlinie) ist seinerzeit am Widerstand der Mitgliedstaaten gescheitert – diese ablehnende Haltung besteht. Das Umweltmedium „Boden“ hat keine grenzüberschreitende Wirkung („Subsidiarität“). Die Einführung eines EU-Rechtsrahmens für den Boden sollte daher auch zukünftig im Hinblick auf das Subsidaritätsprinzip unterbleiben. Hinzu kommt, dass die Belange des Bodenschutzes in mehreren Mitgliedstaaten überzeugend geregelt sind, so im deutschen Bodenschutzgesetz. Es ist also fraglich, warum die Kommission überhaupt Regelungen zum Bodenschutz in Betracht ziehen sollte. Insbesondere die bestehenden „lokalen Verschmutzungen“ (Seite 2, 3. Anstrich) sind auch unter den besonderen Gegebenheiten des entsprechenden Einzelfalles mit den lokalen verantwortlichen Behörden zu lösen. Aufgrund der über 300 verschiedenen Bodentypen in Europa und der daraus resultierenden großen nationalen Unterschiede sollte es jedem Mitgliedsland überlassen sein, den Bodenschutz individuell zu regeln.
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German chemical industry warns against expanding EU emissions trading system

24 Nov 2020
Topic — Updating Member State emissions targets to align with the 55% reduction goal.
Message — The organization opposes extending the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to new sectors to avoid price spikes. They suggest creating separate systems for transport and buildings instead.12
Why — This prevents chemical plants from facing uncompetitive carbon prices driven by transport sector costs.34
Impact — Non-industrial sectors face higher burdens to meet targets if industry contributions are minimized.5
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German chemical industry demands better carbon leakage protection

24 Nov 2020
Topic — Review of the EU Emissions Trading System to increase 2030 climate targets.
Message — The organization opposes expanding the existing emissions trading system to sectors like transport and buildings to avoid certificate price spikes. They urge the EU to prioritize carbon leakage protection and minimize the industrial sector's share of new reduction targets.12
Why — This would shield chemical companies from high carbon prices and international competition.3
Impact — Non-industrial sectors would face higher burdens to meet the EU's climate goals.4
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Response to Sustainable Products Initiative

16 Nov 2020

The VCI represents the politico-economic interests of around 1,700 German chemical companies and German subsidiaries of foreign businesses. In 2019 the German chemical industry realised sales of over 198 billion euros (equal to 1/3 of the European chemical industry) and employed around 464,000 staff. Therefore, we welcome the intention to support the preparation of the Sustainable Product Framework by an extensive consultation of the stakeholders. The chemical industry is committed to continuously improving its performance with regard to environmental and health impacts and to contributing to the sustainability goals of the EU by providing innovative solutions. Ecodesign is an opportunity in the energy sector to improve the environmental performance of energy-related products by promoting best performing products as benchmark. However, it is important to always take a holistic view of product performance, i.e. in terms of the product's benefit and purpose, into account. For sustainability reasons, a sole focus on the circular economy, including recycling, is an overly limited approach. Therefore, product design must be viewed holistically, always considering product safety and the "design for performance" aspect. This is the only way to achieve a genuine "Design for Sustainability" instead of a merely one-dimensional "Design for Recycling" approach. Products must be innovative, to drive forward the circular economy and/or climate protection. Regarding the extension of the scope of the Ecodesign Directive to other product groups, it is essential that the Commission avoids double regulation or inconsistencies with existing legislation. On the other hand, coherence with existing laws at EU and member state level, such as the taxonomy regulation, must be ensured. Every additional requirement needs to be checked and assessed in terms of feasibility, for its effectiveness and (bureaucracy) costs. The focus should be on streamlining to achieve consistency and eliminate duplication, ensure enforceability of regulatory measures, and solve implementation issues. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the eco-design requirements cannot simply be transferred to other products or sectors. If the range of products is extended, there is a risk that environmental performance in other sectors will be subject to completely different rules and criteria than in the electrical sector, and that many or all manufacturers will not be able to meet the requirements and the products will therefore no longer be allowed on the market. Framework conditions must be shaped in such a way that safety and performance are guaranteed in the end product and also during processing and use. Existing safety legislation with the REACH/CLP regulations has proven its worth and is well recognized by Authorities and administration. Therefore, restrictions or bans on substances merely based on their hazard classification should be opposed. An additional inclusion of chemical rules in the new framework for sustainable products is counterproductive.
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Response to EU Action Plan Towards a Zero Pollution Ambition for air, water and soil

28 Oct 2020

The VCI represents the politico-economic interests of around 1,700 German chemical companies and German subsidiaries of foreign businesses. In 2019 the German chemical industry realised sales of over 198 billion euros (equal to 1/3 of the Euro-pean chemical industry) and employed around 464,000 staff. Therefore, we welcome the intention to support the preparation of the Action Plan by an extensive consultation of the stakeholders. Every additional requirement needs to be checked and assessed in terms of feasibility, for its effectiveness and their causing (bureaucracy) costs. As written in the staff working document about the IED evaluation, the emissions of chemical industry have substantially declined over the past decade. Before adding new or extra requirements, it is necessary to assess, improve and en-force the current performance of the existing regulation and the available data. In the last box of the roadmap it is written that “The Action Plan does not require an impact assessment per se”. Due to the historic dimension of the Green Deal and within the Zero Pollution Ambition for the (chemical) industry, we point out that the individual initiatives described in the Action Plan most likely will indeed require such an impact assessment and must be assessed as a whole. Only a comprehen-sive discussion can show how our industry has to change. The focus of the future Action Plan should be on streamlining to achieve consistency and eliminate dupli-cation, ensure enforceability of regulatory measures and solve implementation is-sues. To find the best techniques in Europe for circularity, climate neutrality, biodiversity, water, soil and air quality, these must follow the principal of an integrated and risk based approach to avoid transfer from one compartment to another (e.g. air to water and vice versa). It is important that the Commission aims at further economic development with the review of the existing legislation and makes effective implementation and applica-tion in the European countries the benchmark. This applies to the ongoing reviews of the Water Framework Directive, the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) as well as the completed review of the air quality directive and the BREF reviews. As the majority of the BAT conclusions have not been implemented up to now the contribution to reducing pollutant emissions is not fully visible. Starting the action plan right now would mean that a complete assessment of the benefits cannot be done. In addition, the existing specific legislation on water, air, chemicals, etc. fulfils its purpose and ensures a high level of environmental and health protection. The chemical industry is committed for continuous improvement through innovation to reduce the environmental and health impacts and contribute to the sustainability goals of the EU. In this context, a target “zero” is clearly misleading when it is understood as “zero emission” meaning even not a single molecule should be emitted. According to our understanding “zero pollution” set only the condition to identify and minimize harmful impacts to the environment. A use of a substance is not per se toxic to the environment as its use contributes to achieve the goals of the green deal and has overall benefits for the society. But, all this cannot be done in isolation from the international community. The chemical industry is highly exposed to international competition, both within and outside the EU. To make the necessary investments the competitiveness of our in-dustry needs to be improved. As the German chemical industry we see us as a very important stakeholder in the upcoming process of change, therefore we would like to point out that we are available for any future consultations and interviews. A more comprehensive position paper was added to this one here.
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Response to Industrial pollution - revision of the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register

23 Oct 2020

The VCI represents the politico-economic interests of around 1,700 German chemi-cal companies and German subsidiaries of foreign businesses. In 2019 the German chemical industry realised sales of over 198 billion euros and employed around 464,000 staff. Therefore, we welcome the impact assessment. Every additional requirement needs to be checked and assessed in terms of feasibil-ity, effectiveness and its bureaucracy costs. This is more important than any discus-sion about the addition of sectors, SME and pollutants. In general, the VCI welcomes investigating the potential for improving the existing E-PRTR legal framework and its implementation with focus on enhancing the Euro-pean level-playing field with pragmatic solutions for the whilst reducing bureaucracy and ensuring an EU-wide homogeneous reporting Before additional requirements and obligations within this initiative are further dis-cussed, it is necessary as a first step to assess, improve and enforce the current per-formance of the E-PRTR system and the EU-wide reported data. We would like to point out that collected data should be comparable within the EU. We see that some Member States (MS) do not delivered data in the needed quality. Therefore, a better data set would be necessary because this data and its assess-ment are inevitably used in the elaboration and review process of different BREFs and especially for the identification of Key Environmental Indicators (KEIs). Reported data must be accurate and comparable across all MS! In case of a lack of data quality, it should not be used for controlling and cannot be used for other regu-latory developments, and can never be used for any benchmarking. Otherwise sin-gle installations might be disadvantaged based on improper data sets of others. Any effort in time and resources to fulfil additional requirement is another burden to the already immense cost for the chemical industry regarding emission reporting and regulatory compliance. These are the cost for industry and operators: • The inclusion of additional pollutants mean for operators, which are already yearly submitting data into national PRTR to significantly adapt the current in-ternal monitoring and reporting system. Especially on larger chemical sites the data collection would get a (much) higher workload. • Lower reporting thresholds mean that a higher amount of plants would have to report for a first time. Monitoring and reporting systems would have to be in-stalled and a responsible person for data collecting and reporting would have to be implemented. • New pollutants in combination with lower thresholds would change a running system on chemical sites and lead to additional burdens and costs for operators. The EU chemical industry is a main driver for innovation. Protection of sensitive and confidential data is crucial for keeping the competitiveness of the EU chemical in-dustry, for investments in innovation and thus to achieve the objectives of the Green Deal. The line between confidential business information (CBI) data and non-CBI data is sometimes very thin. It must be clear that confidential data must be excluded from the reporting process. Furthermore, as the proposal for a revised IED will be elaborated in 2021 in parallel to this initiative, both developments are mutually dependent and should be viewed together, as they influence and condition each other. Changes to one result in changes to the other and vice versa. We also like to emphasise, that if E-PRTR data should be used in (future) BREF more intensively than it would be necessary to refer all plant to the corresponding BREF. It is not clear how the E-PRTR support the CEAP. The connection of E-PRTR and circular economy (CE) would blow up the whole system massively (see point on cost above). At the end of our position we like to point out that we are available for future consul-tations and interviews in the upcoming consultations if needed. see attached position paper, too.
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Response to Revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001

18 Sept 2020

VCI welcomes the consultation of the roadmap on the revision of RED II. Please find our position paper attached.
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Meeting with Kerstin Jorna (Director-General Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs)

16 Sept 2020 · Having an introductory discussion on Green Deal

Response to Review of Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency

15 Sept 2020

Der VCI-Konsultationsbeitrag findet sich in der angehängten Datei.
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Meeting with Axel Voss (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Bundesarbeitgeberverband Chemie e.V.

31 Aug 2020 · Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence

Response to Evaluation of the Sewage Sludge Directive 86/278/EEC

12 Aug 2020

We support the idea by the European Commission to evaluate the Sewage Sludge Directive. In our point of view, the presented Roadmap reflects very well the aspects which has be checked to achieve a well consider amendment of the Sewage Sludge Directive (SSD). Regarding Purpose and Scope: All the raised questions are important to evaluate the SSD in the light of a) improvement for the environment and b) the goals of the Green Deal and Circular Economy. Please allow us to add one more question for the point of Effectiveness: What has member states done to improve their handling with sewage sludge and recovery of phosphorus. For the Coherence it is not only important to understand where is what regulated. It is also important to realise that amendment in one directive influence the other. For example, in case phosphorous should be recovered from the sludge and used for fertilizer production not only the SSD must be improved but also be aligned with the requirements of the Fertilising Products Regulation (EU 2019/1009) to bring such products into the market easily. One more point is also very important to evaluate what is possible and what not. The technical requirements of the fertilizer production plants. Talking about input qualities but also talking about the needed quality of the output streams. Moreover, it should be considered if and how the sewage sludge ash is stored for recovery of phosphorus. Regarding Consultation of citizens and stakeholder: We support the idea of a public consultation and a targeted stakeholder consultation. We would like to contribute in both consultations to bring in the expertise in a) wastewater management, b) in disposal of (industrial) sewage sludge and c) in producing fertilizers (out of secondary raw materials like recovered phosphorus). Regarding data collection and methodology: The presented studies give a very good overview on the situation in Europe. But there are a lot of other studies and initiatives in the different member states. Even if not all results from these studies can be compared because of the different situation in the states, it can help to understand what is state of the art to dispose sewage sludge.
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Response to Review of the requirements for packaging and feasibility of measures to prevent packaging waste

4 Aug 2020

Thank you for the opportunity of giving feedback on requirements for packaging and other measures to prevent packaging waste. Our statement can be found in the attached file.
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Response to Update of concentration limit values of persistent organic pollutants in waste

31 Jul 2020

The goal of reducing the content of certain POPs in new products, especially those made from recycled materials, can only be supported. In our view, the following points should be taken into account when deriving the limit values for POPs: 1) Not only because of the waste hierarchy, waste incineration should be the preference option compared to landfilling for the disposal of POP containing wastes. New and more strict limit values will let to higher amount of waste which cannot be used in recycling systems. But a higher amount of POP containing waste for disposal should not be send to landfills. Please take in mind the circumstances where controlled incineration is not possible, potential soil contamination could also occur due to increased landfilling. Therefore, it should be considered the existing and future capacity in waste incineration plants. The treatment capacity is the bottleneck in setting limit values for POP in waste. 2). Please take into account that a lot of products which contain POP are still in use and will get relevant in a couple of years e.g. HBCD in construction material or POPs in soil excavations (Excavated soil containing POPs should primarily be disposed on a landfill with an appropriate leachate water treatment. A disposal of mineral material in an incineration plant with an enormous energy-input and an almost 1:1 ratio between the input and output weight should be prevented.). The risk of exposure of POPs into the environment during recycling should also be taken into account. For example, construction material which contains POP can be used for other constructions without any exposure of POPs during its treatment/remanufacturing. 3) In the case for HBCD, a reduction of the limit value < 1000 ppm in waste cannot be measured by standardized analysis. This fact must also be taken into account. 4) For some products (e.g. packaging foams) the reduction of limit values will have an indirect effect on the recycling operator. Because less material will become available for them due to the reduction of the waste flows (as mentioned, more waste will be incinerated or landfilled). This negative effect will be increased due additional analysis demands. More analytical effort will lead to higher cost. In the light of cost for virgin materials this additional effort will reduce the competitiveness of recycling plants
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Response to Enhancement of European policy on critical infrastructure protection

29 Jul 2020

Verband der Chemischen Industrie (VCI) - Stellungnahme (24. Juli 2020) 1. Vermischung von „Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) und „Essential Services“ wird abgelehnt In der CIP Richtlinie 2008/114/EC haben Terrorrisiken Priorität. Die Maßnahmen sind primär auf die Abwehr von Angriffen von außen ausgelegt, die sich gegen einzelne Einrichtungen richten. Bei den Essential Services geht es primär um die Verfügbarkeit komplexer Lieferketten und Serviceleistungen. Um diese zu sichern können Maßnahmen zur Aufrechterhaltung wichtiger Versorgungsketten wichtig sein. Hierbei hat die Corona Krise eindrucksvoll belegt, dass große Teile der produzierenden Industrie und der Logistikbranche schnell eigenverantwortlich, flexibel, uneigennützig und länderübergreifend auf Lieferengpässe reagiert haben. Zunächst sollte daher eine genaue Schwachstellenanalyse erfolgen, um auf europäischer Ebene gegebenenfalls erforderliche Maßnahmen identifizieren zu können. Eine Vermischung von CIP und Essential Services wird abgelehnt. 2. Ausweitung CIP-Sektoren und pauschale Angleichung NIS-Sektoren wird abgelehnt Eine Ausweitung der CIP-Sektoren (Energie und Verkehr) um weitere Infrastrukturen wird abgelehnt. Auf Grundlage von Risikoanalysen und eindeutigen Kriterien könnte eine Angleichung z.B. der NIS-Sektoren Trinkwasserlieferung und -versorgung sowie der digitalen Infrastruktur geprüft werden. Diese beiden NIS-Sektoren sind neben ihrer Bedeutung als „essential“ auch als Ziel terroristischer Aktivitäten vorstellbar. Ein Operator Security Plan (RL 2008/114/EC) könnte bei diesen Infrastrukturen angemessen sein. Der Verband der Chemischen Industrie in Deutschland (VCI) schlägt daher Option 2 im Rahmen des Inception Impact Assessments mit der Beibehaltung der beiden CIP-Sektoren Energie und Verkehr vor. Der Vorschlag, mit „Non-legislative measures at EU level“ einen verstärkten Austausch von Informationen und Best Practices zwischen betroffener Industrie und Behörden anzuregen, ist sinnvoll und wird dazu beitragen, den Schutz kritischer Infrastrukturen zu verbessern.
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Response to Revision of the EU Emission Trading System Monitoring and Reporting Regulation (MRR)

24 Jul 2020

VCI-Beitrag zur Stakeholderkonsultation zur Monitoringverordnung: Berücksichtigung von CCU-Produkten in der MonitoringVO: Der jetzige Entwurf der Monitoring-Verordnung sieht Erleichterungen für CCU-Anwendungen ausschließlich für präzipitiertes Calciumcarbonat (siehe Artikel 49) vor. Aus Sicht der chemischen Industrie, die mit ihren Produkten wichtige Beiträge für eine zukünftige Kreislaufwirtschaft liefern kann, sollte diese Möglichkeit anhand transparenter und nachvollziehbarer Kriterien für weitere CCU-Produkte geöffnet werden. Diese Kriterien sollten unter Beteiligung aller relevanten Stakeholder diskutiert werden. Die MonitoringVO sollte daher dahingehend ausgestaltet werden, dass auch nach ihrer Verabschiedung jederzeit CCU-Produkte bezüglich ihres Klimaschutzbeitrages bewertet und in die MonitoringVO aufgenommen werden. Zur Bewertung möglicher CCU-Produkte sollten Lebenszyklus- Kriterien herangezogen werden, die die Vermeidung von Treibhausgasemissionen im Vergleich zu einem Referenzszenario durch das jeweilige CCU-Produkt untersuchen. Dabei ist sicherlich eine Einzelfallbewertung der CCU-Produkte mit Hilfe einer Lebenszyklus-Analyse angemessen. CCU-Produkte, die Treibhausgasemissionen vermeiden, könnten dann in einer Art erweiterbaren Anhang der Monitoringverordnung unter die Regularien des Artikel 49 fallen. Vorschlag zur Ergänzung des Artikel 49: (c) transferred out of the installation and used as a feedstock for a downstream process or directly in a product under the pre-condition that CO2 avoidance can be demonstrated by means of a robust, standardized and objective life-cycle-criteria, that will be developed under participation of relevant stakeholders in a transparent process. Nachhaltigkeitsnachweise (Erwägungsgrund 4, Artikel 19 (6), Artikel 38 (2): Die Überarbeitung der Monitoringverordnung sieht beim Einsatz von Biomasse vor, dass der Betreiber der ETS-Anlage dafür Nachhaltigkeitsnachweise gemäß RED II vorlegen muss, um den Emissionsfaktor 0 für diese Biomasse zu erhalten. Der VCI spricht sich gegen diese Änderung aus, da der Emissionshandel im Unterschied zur RED II kein Fördersystem ist, sondern CO2-Emissionen bepreist und außerdem mit den IPCC-Regeln zur Anerkennung biogener Emissionen in Einklang stehen muss. Hierzu wird auf die Position des europäischen Chemieverbandes Cefic verwiesen. Anrechenbarkeit von Biogas (Artikel 39 (3)): Artikel 39 (3) stellt die Mitgliedsstaaten vor die Wahl zweier Anrechnungsmethoden in der Emissionsbilanz bzgl. Biomethan: 1) über den Nachweis zugekauften Biomethans 2) mittels des durchschnittlichen Netz-Mix im Hinblick auf seine CO2-Emissionen aus der Nutzung von Erdgas. Der VCI tritt für die Anwendung einer europäisch harmonisierten Methode ein, um gleiche Wettbewerbsbedingungen im gesamten Binnenmarkt zu stärken.
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Response to Pharmaceutical Strategy - Timely patient access to affordable medicines

6 Jul 2020

We welcome the European Commission’s initiative to create a strategy that aims to support the industry’s competitiveness at the same time as ensuring high quality medicinal products for the European citizen. We believe that all the objectives of the proposed roadmap can be achieved within the existing regulatory framework by efficient and effective implementation of the lessons learned from Covid-19. The European Commission’s roadmap and its Industrial Strategy both highlight the economic importance of the pharmaceutical sector for the EU. This sector comprises a huge variety of companies, from global corporations to SMEs and Mid-Caps, acting in international networks. This should lead to a strategy feasible for all which creates a balanced environment that allows the industry to grow, compete, sell globally and sets a solid framework for it to function properly. - Innovation: The strategy should aim to foster and support all areas of research. Both innovative medicines as well as medicinal products which have been developed by means of incremental research should be included in funding programmes to meet patients' needs and regain the world leadership in drug development and production. Regarding the innovation aspect, it is crucial to maintain and improve the existing intellectual property rights and incentive framework to attract long-term funding in areas of a high medical need and market failure, e.g. medicinal products for rare, super rare diseases and for children as well as to fight antibiotic resistances. As pharmaceutical research is closely connected with public and private research institutions, a common European data platform would ensure the necessary interoperability to exchange research data between these institutions and industry across Europe. R&D of novel biotherapeutics should benefit from streamlined regulatory processes: rapid centralized scientific advice procedures, continuous dialogue and re-evaluation for additional requirements. - Euro-HTA: We welcome the European Commission’s approach to establish a harmonised HTA-process, especially with regards to common standards and joint scientific consultations aiming to avoid duplication of work for national HTA bodies and industry which leads to a more sustainable system. - Shortages of Medicines: The framework needs to acknowledge existing legal obstacles (especially for off-patent medicinal products) which need to be reviewed and adjusted accordingly. The focus of the strategy should not be on the “re-shoring” of production. Instead, the diversification of supply chains and the reduction of trade barriers for health-related products are needed. We need to focus on creating an environment that offers the means to strengthen already existing production sites along the whole production chain throughout Europe as well as making it an attractive region for new production sites and new technologies. This requires attractive regulatory conditions within the EU, not obligations for location or protection behind borders. A review or the mapping of existing procurement strategies in all member states as well as a possible extension of the state-aid exemptions in relation to the Covid-19-pandemic could offer solutions to the problem of shortages. - Environmental Requirements: The pharmaceutical industry agrees that the environmental situation has to be improved. However, environmental affairs cannot be seen as the sole responsibility of particular industrial sectors. Especially because the right use of pharmaceuticals as well as the right removal of old pharmaceuticals lies in the responsibility of the users (patients, pharmacies and hospitals). It must be avoided that medicinal products do not reach a patient because their environmental profile may be questioned. The VCI represents the politico-economic interests of around 1,700 German chemical and pharmaceutical companies which realised sales of ca. 193 billion euros and employed 464,800 staff in 2019.
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German chemical industry demands risk-based approach for sustainability strategy

19 Jun 2020
Topic — The European Commission is consulting on a strategy to ensure a toxic-free environment.
Message — The VCI requests that the Commission recognize and strengthen the risk-based approach for effective risk management. They demand a stable regulatory environment and argue that industry should be involved in developing assessment methods. Finally, they maintain there should be no regulation of persistent substances without evidence of risk.123
Why — This approach would protect their current products from immediate bans while ensuring long-term planning certainty.45
Impact — Environmental advocates lose faster chemical bans because the industry demands lengthy, complex risk-based proofs.678
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Response to A EU hydrogen strategy

8 Jun 2020

Hydrogen is vital for the chemical industry. Today, the German chemical industry uses more than 12 billion m³ per year. Hydrogen is a key to decarbonisation. Therefore, VCI supports a European hydrogen strategy. For a successful implementation technology neutral approaches, suitable infrastructures and EU-wide tradability of guarantees of origin will be important. The chemical industry is ready to support the transition of the energy supply system with innovative processes and products. However, such innovations are largely not yet competitive and partly not even on an operational readiness level. Implementation requires increased investment, operating and production expenditures. Nevertheless, in the course of the desired transformation, the European industry must not lose competitiveness. The transition costs facing industrial consumers have to be efficient and on a competitive level. More details are described in the attached position paper.
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Meeting with Andrea Beltramello (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis)

4 Jun 2020 · European Green Deal and the recovery

Response to Amending requirements for information for poison centers

25 May 2020

Dear Sir or Madam, please find attachted (see appendix) the VCI comments on the 2nd amendment on CLP Annex VIII. Best regards, Dr. Marko Leist
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Meeting with Nele Eichhorn (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager)

25 May 2020 · To discuss 5 point plan of the German chemistry- and pharma-industry.

German chemical industry urges global rules and industry protections

30 Apr 2020
Topic — The European Climate Law aims to legislate a climate-neutral EU by 2050.
Message — The VCI demands a global climate protection regime and a comprehensive impact assessment for 2030 targets. They also argue that the EU Commission should not define climate trajectories via delegated acts to preserve democratic procedures.123
Why — These measures would protect the industry's global competitiveness and ensure access to low-cost renewable energy.45
Impact — Environmental groups lose if climate action is delayed while waiting for a global G20-level consensus.6
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Response to Climate change mitigation and adaptation taxonomy

27 Apr 2020

The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the inception impact assessment on “Sustainable finance – EU classification system for green investments”. As a sector “indispensable to Europe’s economy” (EU Industrial Strategy), the European chemical industry provides innovative solutions and products to all industries and consumers. Achieving the sustainable transformation as laid down in the Green Deal while maintaining its competitiveness, requires access to significant investments. Thus, access to finance is critical. The future Taxonomy can provide an important impulse to capital markets, investors and industries but requires a carefully balanced approach towards defining the technical screening criteria as well as consistency and coherency with existing policies and legislation. Furthermore, the future Taxonomy must take the processes along entire value chains into account. Therefore, VCI wishes to comment in particular on the final report and technical annex of the Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance (TEG). Please find our feedback attached. VCI is looking forward to engage with the European Commission and to contribute to the development and critical review of technical screening criteria with evidence-based recommendations.
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Response to EU rules on industrial emissions - revision

17 Apr 2020

The IED and within the BREF process is a commonly accepted and effective instrument to reduce the emissions from major industrial installations. Changes of this system should always be assessed in terms of feasibility, cost effectiveness and manageability. The IED cannot and must not solve all issues raised during the IED Evaluation Workshop in May 2019. Within the IED the BREF process is the main tool to address emissions of manufacturing processes in line with CE and Green Deal goals. The implementation of the BREFs into national laws is an important contribution to set a harmonized environmental standard in the EU. Whenever an additional requirement is introduced into the IED the question must be answered whether the IED is the best place to regulate it and whether the environmental and social impacts are positive and do not create an issue somewhere else. The chemical industry is an important stakeholder in the ‘BREF process’ and will therefore support a review of the IED. VCI’s point of view is, that the IED is already in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal as well as Circular Economy (CE) and Decarbonization aspects. As already brought forward during the IED evaluation workshop the report “Cumulative Cost Assessment for the EU Chemical Industry” issued by COM clearly shows that the costs for compliance with the IED and comparable legislation are considerable. An impact assessment of potential changes to the IED is a key necessity. Contribution to the circular economy and Coherence with other EU legislation The IED covers the manufacturing stage of the life cycle and primarily outputs (emissions, waste) of the manufacturing process. All regulatory requirements in the IED should therefore be restricted to this life cycle stage and should not try to regulate something that is better regulated within a different piece of regulation. In addition, it should be ensured that none of its requirements is in contradiction with any other requirement of another piece of legislation. In summary, the IED fulfills its purpose of preventing or reducing emissions into air, water and land and prevention the generation of waste by these industrial installations. But we believe that other aspects of waste related to CE are better dealt with by the Waste Framework Directive and other legislation. An overlap of different legislation must be avoided. All Member States are required to follow key principles of resource management, including the waste hierarchy. Legal certainty should be ensured throughout the revision process. BREF process Concerning the BREF process we like to point out, that a comprehensive data pool is basis for any BREF and a subsequent derivation of BAT conclusions. The data must be representative and correctly reflect the relevant issues in a meaningful way. System boundaries for installations/permits/sites must be clear within the member states. Moreover the distinction between vertical and horizontal BREFs must be clear as well. Data collected without this distinction might therefore not be comparable. Beside that, we foresee an increasing need for the BREF process to collect sensitive business information. We clearly have to strengthen rules of confidentiality and full compliance with the laws on competition with in the whole process. Without a proper protection of sensitive data the future collection of such data might not be possible anymore. Cross-media effects on emissions and the use of resources needs to be more systematically evaluated during deriving Best Available Techniques (BATs). This “integrated approach” is already in the IED and should be more highlighted during the BREF process. In recent years there has further been an increasing tendency to collect data on more and more substances (KEIs, key environmental issues). The aim should however be to identify only the environmentally relevant pollutants, considering also the impact on circular economy. VCI support the opinion of Cefic.
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German chemical industry opposes stricter 2030 climate targets

15 Apr 2020
Topic — The European Commission proposes increasing the EU's 2030 greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Message — The organization claims that achieving higher 2030 targets is impossible because carbon-neutral production technologies are not yet ready. They demand robust carbon leakage protections and oppose expanding the emissions trading system to new sectors to avoid price spikes. They call for a global climate regime to ensure a level playing field for European industry.123
Why — The industry would avoid massive price increases and maintain its global competitive position.4
Impact — Climate protection efforts suffer as industrial decarbonization is postponed until the mid-2030s.5
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Response to FRIBS - European business statistics - general implementation

7 Apr 2020

We request a change in Annex - Ares(2020)1520833 in Table 5. Short term business statistics on producer prices (page 15/16) and in Table 6. Short term business statistics on production (volume) (page 17/18). In both tables there is the following note under the item BREAKDOWNS: The additional breakdowns required for medium and large countries are optional for small countries (as defined in Annex III.A.2 to this Regulation). The note should be expanded to include: The additional breakdowns required for large countries are optional for medium countries (as defined in Annex III.A.2 to this Regulation). Reason: The calculation of an EU aggregate for the groups and classes of NACE on the basis of the large countries (= only 5 countries) leads to data that are often misleading. How should I explain to a politician that, for example, the groups and classes in the chemical industry are developing negatively - but the chemical industry as a whole has positive rates of change. The industry therefore asks the largest medium countries (Sweden, Belgium, Poland, Austria and Ireland) to voluntarily submit their existing data for the formation of a meaningful EU aggregate for the groups and classes of NACE C in these two statistics. (A compulsory notification of these countries could be achieved if the grouping of the countries (Annex III. A.2, Page 88) had reduced the limit value of the large countries in the value added from 4% to 3%.)
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German chemical industry rejects carbon border tax as bureaucratic burden

31 Mar 2020
Topic — The European Commission is consulting on a mechanism to price carbon imports.
Message — VCI asserts that carbon border adjustments are the wrong way to support industry transformation. They argue existing instruments to prevent carbon leakage must be maintained and expanded instead.12
Why — This position protects the industry from administrative expenses and potential trade countermeasures from partners.34
Impact — Downstream sectors in Europe would suffer from increased costs and trade distortions.5
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Response to Revision of the Energy Tax Directive

31 Mar 2020

Basis for EU intervention (legal basis and subsidiarity check): VCI doubts that the proposed change of legal basis will be implemented easily. It seems probable that many lawsuits will follow resulting in a reduction of legal certainty for companies. As the member states of the EU differ widely concerning their dependence on industrial production the principle of unanimity remains appropriate for questions concerning energy taxation. Objectives and Policy options: The chemical industry in Germany supports the goals of the Green Deal. Nevertheless, we do not think that the proposed measures contribute to these goals. 1. Minimum excise rates: VCI fears that a revision of the assessment basis of excise tax rates to the energy content or to greenhouse gas emissions may lead to an immense burden in the industrial production and asks the Commission to consider this in the impact assessment. Particularly for substitute fuels, e.g. non-homogeneous mixtures of liquid chemical waste or hydrocarbon factions of commercial and municipal waste, an analysis of the energy and CO2 content means a disproportionate effort. 2. Sectoral tax differentiation: Differentiated tax rates, exemptions and reductions are necessary in order to maintain competitiveness of energy intensive industries. Restricting these possibilities for member states means an extensive interference with the member states taxing authority, which compromises the national political composition of the energy mix. Nevertheless, in some cases an obligatory tax exemption should be included in the revision. E.g. the transportation of goods via inland vessel should remain tax exempted in order to incentivize transportation via inland waters. Moreover, the ETD should open the possibility for member states to tax new energy products differently from traditional ones. 3. Product coverage: Specific products such as waste that is declared as hazardous substance and thus has to be thermally recovered should not be within the scope of the ETD. Furthermore, a coherent interpretation of the so called catch-all element (Art. 2, Para. 3 Directive 2003/96/EG) is necessary since member states interpret this rule very differently. Preliminary Assessment of Expected Impacts: A revision of the ETD may strengthen the level playing field across the EU internal market. But it also has to consider effects on the international competitiveness of European productions. Electricity prices in the EU are already high in international comparison and additional national climate protection measures such as the coal phase-out in Germany will lead to a further rise. A revision of the ETD should also focus on minimizing the bureaucratic and administrative burden on companies. Furthermore, the discussions on a national emission trading system for non-EU-ETS sectors in Germany have shown that the social impact of rising energy taxation are extremely difficult to anticipate and thus to avert. Basically, a double burden of energy products should be avoided. With the EU ETS energy products for industrial use are already priced. By implementing national CO2 pricing systems these energy products are burdened twice. In order to maintain international competitiveness further rules to easen the burden have to be implemented. This would also be necessary implementing a European CO2 price system. The various instruments have to be coherent. Evidence base and data collection: The impact assessment should assess the effect of a revision on the international competitiveness for energy intensive industries. It should also assess the effect of non-differentiated tax rates for all sectors on energy intensive industry because of different price elasticities as well as the link of excise rates to the energy content or to greenhouse gas emissions.
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VCI demands cheap green power and carbon leakage protection

6 Feb 2020
Topic — This consultation concerns enshrining the EU's 2050 climate neutrality objective into law.
Message — The association demands guaranteed access to massive volumes of affordable renewable electricity. They argue for stronger carbon leakage protections and oppose expanding emissions trading to other sectors.12
Why — These measures would protect their international competitiveness and reduce massive corporate investment risks.3
Impact — General taxpayers would face higher costs to finance the industry's private technological transformation.4
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Response to EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy

20 Jan 2020

Biologische Vielfalt bzw. die Biodiversität beschreibt die Artenvielfalt, die genetische Vielfalt sowie die Lebensräume der Organismen und die Ökosysteme. Die Erhaltung der Biodiversität umfasst deren Schutz und nachhaltige Nutzung. Sie bildet die Grundlage für wirtschaftliche Tätigkeiten und Innovationen, mit denen die chemisch-pharmazeutische und biotechnische Industrie neue Ressourcen erschließt und bestehende biologische Ressourcen (z. B. nachwachsende Rohstoffe, genetische und biologische Ressourcen) effizienter nutzen kann. Ob zur Produktion von Nahrungs- und Futtermitteln, nachwachsenden Rohstoffen, Arzneimitteln oder Kosmetika – diese Industrie ist auf den Schutz der Natur sowie den Erhalt und die nachhaltige Nutzung der biologischen Vielfalt angewiesen. Die Förderung von Biodiversität ist eine gesamtgesellschaftliche Aufgabe und erfordert einen ganzheitlichen Ansatz. Wir freuen uns, diesen auch zukünftig mit der EU-Kommission zu erörtern und in einem konstruktiven Dialog gemeinsam zukünftige Strategien zum Schutz und der nachhaltigen Nutzung von Biodiversität zu entwickeln. Unsere konkreten Vorschläge für die Umsetzung des Fahrplans lauten wie folgt: I) Evaluierung und Folgenabschätzung II) Überprüfung bestehender Fachregelungen vor Entwicklung neuer Gesetzesinitiativen III) Dialog und Einbindung bestehender Initiativen der Industrie I) Der VCI begrüßt die Fortschreibung der EU Biodiversitätsstrategie bis zum Jahr 2030. Der in der Roadmap genannte Zeitplan kündigt eine Veröffentlichung der EU Biodiversitätsstrategie 2030 für März 2020 an. Vor dem Hintergrund der anstehenden internationalen Verhandlungen zur Fortschreibung des Übereinkommens über die Biologische Vielfalt (COP 15) erkennt der VCI die Notwendigkeit zur zeitnahen Formulierung einer EU-Position an. Wir weisen darauf hin, dass die EU Biodiversitätsstrategie 2030 lediglich eine vorläufige Version darstellen kann. Es gilt, ebenfalls die für Ende 2020 erwarteten Ergebnisse der derzeit parallel durchgeführten Evaluierung der Vorgängerstrategie (2012-2020) zu berücksichtigen und diesen nicht vorzugreifen. Wir begrüßen daher die in der Roadmap erst für 2021 vorgesehene Erarbeitung möglicher Maßnahmen zur Umsetzung der Strategie auf Basis dieser Erkenntnisse. Politische Maßnahmen und Instrumente sollten mittels Folgenabschätzungen sorgfältig auf ihre Auswirkungen auf wirtschaftliche Tätigkeiten und die unternehmerische Wettbewerbsfähigkeit geprüft werden. II) Dem Ziel verpflichtet die Biodiversität zu schützen und nachhaltig zu nutzen, sollte die Ergänzung bestehender Gesetzgebung grundsätzlich der Vorlage neuer Gesetzesinitiativen vorgezogen werden. Die bestehenden Fachregelungen sind auf ihren Bezug zum Schutz und der nachhaltigen Nutzung der Biodiversität zu prüfen. Erst in einem zweiten Schritt sollten Regelungen zum Schließen etwaiger Lücken diskutiert werden. III) Die chemisch-pharmazeutische und biotechnologische Industrie kann weitreichende Erfahrungen in der Umsetzung von Nachhaltigkeits- und Biodiversitätsinitiativen aufweisen (z.B. Emissionsminderungen, strenge Prüfverfahren für Umweltschutz, innovative und effiziente landwirtschaftliche Verfahren, ressourceneffiziente biotechnologische Prozesse, Beitrag zur praxisnahen Umsetzung des Nagoya Protokolls, Initiative Responsible Care, Nachhaltigkeitsinitiative Chemie³). Zudem entwickelt die Branche kontinuierlich weitere Maßnahmen, um Biodiversität zu schützen und nachhaltig zu nutzen. Unser Beitrag nimmt Bezug auf den Fahrplan, der ein prozedurales Element darstellt. Im Rahmen seiner Tätigkeit hat der VCI zudem dezidierte Positionen zu Biodiversität in der Landwirtschaft sowie im Bereich der Biotechnologie entwickelt. Diese Positionspapiere sind der Stellungnahme angehängt.
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Response to A new Circular Economy Action Plan

20 Jan 2020

With the "Circular Economy Action Plan 2.0 Roadmap", the EU Commission has created a follow-up strategy to the 2015 Circular Economy Action Plan. The VCI welcomes further steps towards a circular economy, but would like to make the following points: Holistic approach Increased recycling of the carbon used in the chemical industry is an option for solving several problems related to the discussion about plastic waste for the environment or climate protection. For the chemical industry, circular economy is more than recycling. Increasing efficiency in order to minimize the need for resources throughout the entire product life cycle is central. By-products arising during production are, if possible, reused directly in production. At the end of the product life cycle, the chemical industry can use several cycles: the mechanical and chemical recycling of waste or energy recovery in which energy is generated. The CO2 produced during combustion can be used directly as raw material. Or plants can convert it into biomass through photosynthesis, which can then be used as a renewable resource. Circular economy as an opportunity From product design to waste recycling, the following applies: specifications that aim one-sidedly to strengthen "classic" mechanical recycling can be counterproductive for the development of innovative materials. Conservation of resources and climate protection must be considered, as must the costs and the needs of customers in terms of quality and benefits. Conflicting objectives must be resolved in the interests of sustainability. Then chemistry can make an indispensable contribution to the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources in a circular economy. Increasing digitalization, in which the chemical industry is also investing, will also help to strengthen a circular economy: In the "Chemistry 4.0" era, mass digital data will be used. New leaps in innovation can thus be expected through more precise processes - with impulses for a circular economy that offers maximum resource efficiency. Necessary framework conditions Creating scope for innovation and competitive framework conditions The potential of a circular economy for industry, society and the environment can only be exploited with a comprehensive understanding of circular economics, which includes all contributions to resource conservation. The goal of a complete circular economy is ambitious and the road to achieving it is long. The transformation can only succeed with openness to technology and scope for innovation under competitive conditions. Enabling the most expedient exploitation path Sustainable waste recycling requires that the composition of the waste determines the optimal recycling route. The "classic" mechanical recycling of materials must not be an end in itself. Depending on the composition of the waste, chemical recycling or efficient energy recovery must also be possible. Chemical recycling complements mechanical recycling and can become a problem solver for waste that has been difficult to recycle up to now. The decisive factor is which process ultimately has the best overall life cycle assessment. For industrial waste streams that cannot be further recycled - for example incineration residues from energy recovery - landfilling must continue to be possible. Maintaining tried and tested regulations at the interface of waste and chemicals legislation Waste is subject to waste legislation. Materials are subject to chemicals legislation, even if they result from mechanical recycling. Product safety is therefore guaranteed by the existing European regulations REACH and CLP as well as general and specific product safety guidelines in conjunction with the Waste Framework Directive. An additional inclusion of chemicals-related regulations in waste legislation would be counterproductive. Instead, quality-assured procedures should be increasingly used to overcome recycling obstacles,
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VCI calls for 24-month transition for safety data sheets

10 Oct 2019
Topic — The consultation updates REACH requirements for chemical safety data sheet information.
Message — The VCI requests a 24-month transitional period to update all safety data sheets. They argue that adaptation is very extensive and requires far-reaching changes to software.12
Why — A longer transition avoids high immediate costs for extensive software and data updates.34
Impact — Emergency responders and workers will wait longer for improved chemical safety information.5
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German chemical industry supports one-year delay for reporting rules

16 Aug 2019
Topic — The consultation concerns amending rules for providing hazardous mixture information for emergency health responses.
Message — The VCI requests a 12-month deadline postponement to prepare for electronic submissions and resolve workability concerns. They want practical solutions for reporting burdens caused by product variations and multiple raw material suppliers.12
Why — A delay would provide companies with legal certainty and time to resolve practical application problems.34
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Response to European Partnership for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises

8 Aug 2019

VCI strongly supports the implementation of this partnership. However, the Commission should have a differentiated view to innovative SMEs and how to support them. Between fast-growing start-ups and the so-called lagging companies, the majority of innovative SME’s perform with normal growth rates and are at the same time economically successful and create new jobs. Fast-growing SME’s addressing global markets are rare species, but not the majority of innovative SME’s within the EU. By focussing on fast growing start-ups, the EU should not diminish their activities to support innovative SME’s, which are often well-established companies with remarkable economic success over a longer period of years. Furthermore, small enterprises and mid-caps from the process Industry, with 500 up to 3000 Employees, are above the threshold values given in the European Commission’s recommendation on a definition of a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME). This creates a gap that excludes these companies from some funding programmes. Yet, the involvement of these leaders of Innovation, just beyond the small and medium-sized enterprise threshold, is especially important in the EU R&D policy areas.
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Response to Revising the rules for free allocation in the EU Emissions Trading System

8 Jul 2019

VCI Feedback on Draft Commission Implementing Regulation on further arrangements for the adjustment to free allocation of emission allowances due to activity level changes VCI thanks for the draft and the possibility to give feedback. 1. The administrative burden can be reduced if the on-site observation is not mandatory for installations <25,000 t CO2/y 2. Article 3 (1): Allocation changes shall start in 2023 based on the activity level data collected from the years 2022 and 2021 3. An absolute (quantitative) threshold regarding the changes to production should be implemented: As the new ETS directive states, if activity changes with more than 15%, free allowances are adjusted. However, the negotiation outcome also includes the possibility for an absolute threshold (Recital 12 of the new ETS Directive). This is important for larger installations that have difficulty to reach the relative threshold, but where an absolute threshold can result in a significant allowance update. The threshold of 100 allowances in the change of allocation does not cover this. 4. Article 5 (2): For changes in activity level of more than 15%, the allocation should be adjusted proportionally to the actual change; i.e. an increase/decrease of activity by 19% would lead to an adjustment of 19% of allocation.
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Response to Fitness Check on endocrine disruptors

2 Jul 2019

Input of the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) concerning the Public Consultation of the Commission Roadmap “Fitness Check on Endocrine Disruptors”: For more than two decades endocrine active substances are given considerable attention by public authorities, the scientific community, industry, and non-governmental organizations. Concerning endocrine Disruptors (EDs) the EU policy and legal framework is the most protective globally. Just recently, after extensive negotiations, the criteria for identification EDs under biocides and pesticides have been adopted and a related guidance document has been issued. In addition, under REACH procedures for the identification as SVHC and related risk management options are in place such as authorization or restriction. For the planned Fitness Check on Endocrine Disruptors the following points should be taken into consideration: 1. Before recommendations on the further development of legislation are made, experience with the practical implementation and possible impacts of the existing regulations must be evaluated. This applies in particular to the criteria just adopted for biocides and pesticides regulations and to the procedures for EDs under REACH. In our opinion, valid results can only be obtained after five years of experience at the earliest. 2. Especially in a highly politicised topic such as EDs, it is essential that the Commission relies on advice and assessments from officially designated scientific EU institutions such as the EFSA. In this regard we fully support the EFSA statement: “As a scientific organisation EFSA recommends that these substances – like all other substances present in the food chain – be subject to risk assessment in order to make the best use of available information in ensuring consumer safety. Such an approach considers both potential adverse effects of substances together with the likelihood of exposure to such substances. EFSA believes that scientists can clarify through expert judgement and the weight-of-evidence what may or may not be an endocrine disruptor.” (Internet: www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/endocrine-active-substances; FAQ No. 6). 3. There are still areas with open scientific questions such as the better understanding of the nature, associations and causal relationships of health concerns. All relevant research results should be evaluated by the designated official scientific EU institutions and, if necessary, proposals for further measures should be made on this basis. Otherwise, political and commercial decisions risk being based on speculative evidence and will fail to achieve the intended benefits (health/environmental). Against that background it seems not appropriate to rely on the opinion of few vocal scientists or consultants e. g. appointed by certain Commission services. 4. The constant confusion and irritation of the public, for example through scaremongering, should be prevented by publishing and supporting the assessments and recommendations of the official EU scientific authorities. Society needs trust in the work of these authorities. Therefore, recognition by the other EU institutions, in particular the Commission and the Member States, is of the utmost importance. Scientific controversies need to be put into perspective rather than obtaining "opposite opinions" on official assessments for political reasons. The following documents should be taken into account for the EU Fitness Check: - VCI Scientific Overview: www.vci.de/ergaenzende-downloads/vci-overview-on-endocrine-active-substances-standortbestimmung.pdf - VCI Position Limit Values: https://www.vci.de/langfassungen/langfassungen-pdf/vci-position-paper-limit-values-for-endocrine-disruptors.pdf
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Response to Revision of the ETS State aid Guidelines

16 Jan 2019

Die Strompreiskompensation (SPK) bildet für die von Carbon Leakage bedrohte Chemieindustrie einen wichtigen Baustein zum Schutz der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit gegen indirekte Kostenbelastung aus dem Emissionshandel. Daher muss die zukünftige SPK auskömmlich, d.h. vollumfänglich, ausgestaltet sein. Für die Entwicklung einer treibhausgasarmen Produktion in der Chemie ist auch der wettbewerbsfähige Zugang zu (grünem) Strom notwendig. Aufgrund der damit auch einhergehenden Elektrifizierung wird sich die Stromintensität der Chemie perspektivisch ändern (1). Voraussetzung oder zumindest ein Treiber einer Treibhausgasneutralität ist damit eine angemessene SPK für die betroffene Industrie. Begünstigtenkreis: Die Einstufung der Sektoren zum Begünstigtenkreis muss nach transparenten Regeln und auf Grundlage aktueller Daten erfolgen. Im Ergebnis sollte der jetzige Umfang an Begünstigten beibehalten bleiben, aber um ausgewählte stromintensive Sektoren erweitert werden: Dies sind mindestens die Industriegase, die Kunststoffe auf NACE-4-Steller Ebene (anstatt auf 8-Stelle-Ebene wie derzeit) und die Mineralölverarbeitung. Außerdem muss es möglich sein, dass „Sammel-NACE-Codes“ (= xx.99) berücksichtigt werden. CO2-Faktor des Stroms: Der anzulegende CO2-Faktor des Stroms muss die Kosten der begünstigten Stromabnehmer darstellen. Eine Orientierung am tatsächlichen Strommix eines Landes ist daher nicht sachdienlich, da damit nicht die tatsächlichen EUA-Kosten im Strom abgebildet werden. Daher muss für die SPK die CO2-Intensität des preissetzenden Grenzkostenkraftwerks herangezogen werden. Dies sollte zudem so spezifisch wie möglich, basierend auf Marktinformationen erfolgen. Gegenleistungen: Gegenleistungen, wie bspw. Energieeffizienzmaßnahmen dürfen keine Anforderung für den Erhalt der SPK sein. Die Kompensation dient der Entlastung und darf nicht mit Anforderungen kombiniert werden, die zu Belastungen führen. Hinzu kommt, dass durch die EU-Energieeffizienzrichtlinie die Mitgliedstaaten bereits zu Energieeffizienzzielen verpflichtet sind und der Kommission dazu berichten. Eine zusätzliche Verpflichtung für Unternehmen gegenüber der EU erhöht den Verwaltungsaufwand und bietet keinen Mehrwert. Überkompensation: Überkompensation ist nicht möglich, da die Höhe der Beihilfe durch diverse Faktoren bereits gekürzt wird. So erfolgt z.B. bei einer Anlage mit Fall-back-Benchmark von vornherein ein Abschlag auf die Beihilfe i.H.v. 40% (=Beihilfeintensität 75% x Fallback-Faktor 0,8) für die Jahre 2019/2020. Grünstrom: Derzeit ist Grünstrom von der SPK ausgeschlossen. Ein Einbezug in die SPK würde den Bezug von Grünstrom für Unternehmen attraktiver machen und entsprechende Projekte fördern. Höhe der Kompensation: Die Kompensationshöhe muss in ihrer Gesamtheit auskömmlich sein und die indirekten Kosten vollständig kompensieren. Daher ist das Zusammenspiel aller Faktoren zur Berechnung der Kompensationshöhe wichtig und einzelne Faktoren dürfen nicht isoliert betrachtet werden. Im Ergebnis muss die SPK wirksam sein. Die historischen Aktivitätslevel sollten möglichst aktuell sein, um zunehmende Elektrifizierung abzubilden. Eine weitere degressive Ausgestaltung steht einer wirksamen SPK entgegen. Der Effizienzbeitrag wird bereits über die Stromverbrauchseffizienzbenchmarks erfüllt. Die Kürzung durch den pauschalen Fallback-Faktor („fall-back electricity consumption efficiency benchmark“ i.H.v. 0,8) ist zu groß. Um dies zu mindern, sollte der pauschale Fallback-Faktor erhöht werden. Eine Erhöhung würde auch der bis dato stetigen Effizienzverbesserung Rechnung tragen. Obergrenze: Eine Obergrenze für die SPK darf es nicht geben und ist darüber hinaus nicht explizit in der ETS-Richtlinie vorgesehen. Sie muss auskömmlich sei, d.h. wirksam das Risiko von Carbon Leakage ausgleichen. Perspektivisch wird das Volumen der SPK mit steigendem EUA-Preis ansteigen müssen, um die finanzielle Belastung durch indirekte ETS-Kosten adäquat abzubilden. (1) siehe Anlage
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Response to Amendment of the EU ETS Monitoring and Reporting Regulation (MRR)

23 Nov 2018

VCI-Beitrag zur Stakeholderkonsultation der Monitoringverordnung in der 4. Handelsperiode des EU-ETS Berücksichtigung von CCU-Produkten in der MonitoringVO: Der jetzige Entwurf der Monitoring-Verordnung sieht Erleichterungen für CCU-Anwendungen ausschließlich für präzipitiertes Calciumcarbonat (siehe Artikel 49) vor. Aus Sicht der chemischen Industrie, die mit ihren Produkten wichtige Beiträge für eine zukünftige Kreislaufwirtschaft liefern kann, sollte diese Möglichkeit anhand transparenter und nachvollziehbarer Kriterien für weitere CCU-Produkte geöffnet werden. Diese Kriterien sollten unter Beteiligung aller relevanten Stakeholder diskutiert werden. Die MonitoringVO sollte daher dahingehend ausgestaltet werden, dass auch nach ihrer Verabschiedung jederzeit CCU-Produkte bezüglich ihres Klimaschutzbeitrages bewertet und in die MonitoringVO aufgenommen werden. Zur Bewertung möglicher CCU-Produkte sollten Lebenszyklus-Kriterien herangezogen werden, die die Vermeidung von Treibhausgasemissionen im Vergleich zu einem Referenzszenario durch das jeweilige CCU-Produkt untersuchen. Dabei ist sicherlich eine Einzelfallbewertung der CCU-Produkte mit Hilfe einer Lebenszyklus-Analyse angemessen. CCU-Produkte, die Treibhausgasemissionen vermeiden, könnten dann in einer Art erweiterbaren Anhang der Monitoringverordnung unter die Regularien des Artikel 49 fallen. Vorschlag zur Ergänzung des Artikel 49: (c) transferred out of the installation and used as a feedstock for a downstream process or directly in a product under the pre-condition that CO2 avoidance can be demonstrated by means of a robust, standardized and objective life-cycle-criteria, that will be developed under participation of relevant stakeholders in a transparent process. Weitere Änderungsvorschläge zur MonitoringVO: siehe Attachment.
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Response to Free allocation of emission allowances

23 Nov 2018

VCI-Contribution to the stakeholder consultation on Free Allocation Rules (FAR) https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/initiatives/ares-2018-5486983_de Within the Free Allocation Rules the heat benchmark is of utmost importance for the chemical industry. The draft FAR indicate that a change of methodology is foreseen to set up the heat benchmark for trading period 4. But the benchmark methodology and its principles need to remain unchanged and used for the update of the heat/fuel benchmarks. This is instructed by Commission decision 2011-0278 of 27 April 2011 determining rules for harmonised free allocations and ETS Directive 2018-410 of 4 March 2018 amending ETS Directive 2003-87. In ETS Directive 2018-410, it is not stated that the benchmarking methodology or assumptions taken into account in 2011 should be changed. In line with this, Recital 4 of the draft delegated act determining rules for harmonized free allocations states that the methodology shall remain unchanged other than improvements to legal clarity and linguistic improvements. In the case of the heat benchmark the Commission should consider the following: • Even a reduction by 0.5%/year would result in an allocation benchmark of 57.6 t CO2/TJ and thus in a mathematical fuel efficiency rate of 97.4% for the 1st benchmark period; referred to the 2nd benchmark period this would result in an allocation benchmark of 56.1 t CO2/TJ and a fuel efficiency rate of 100%. • On the technical side, this is impossible to achieve for the following reasons: The existing heat benchmark (62.3 EUA/TJ heat) assumes a gas-fired boiler with an efficiency rate of 90% (emission factor natural gas: 56.1 t CO2/TJ; heat benchmark: 56.1/0.9 = 62.3 EUA/TJ heat). Natural gas is the most CO2-friendly fossil fuel (e.g. as compared with coal, fuel oil …). The emission factor cannot be influenced, because it is given due to the composition of the natural gas. • The heat benchmark has to reflect the availability of resources and the competitiveness of heat production and of subsequent heat users within the value chain. Updating the heat-benchmark without taking into account resource availability would lead to a tightening of the benchmark that goes beyond what is possible at EU level. Therefore, the update should be based on using natural gas as generally available energy input resource for heat production. This means, that within the 10% best heat producers, biomass and RDF driven installations shall not be taken into account. • CHP installations shall not be included in the heat benchmark update as well. The allocation of CHPs’ emissions to power and heat generation can only be based on a gratuitous formula, that is never correct. • Consequently, the only option for further emission improvements would be an efficiency increase in steam generation beyond 90%. Today, new gas boilers are designed to reach an efficiency of ca. 92%. But in real operation that efficiency rate is rarely reached constantly (e.g. due to modulating operation or part-load) (see Commission delegated regulation (EU) 2015/2402 of 12 October 2015 reviewing harmonised efficiency reference values for separate production of electricity and heat in application of Directive 2004/8/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Commission Implementing Decision 2011/877/EU).
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Meeting with Michael Hager (Cabinet of Vice-President Günther Oettinger)

20 Nov 2018 · current EU policies

Response to Establishing conditions concerning the authorisation for movement of quarantine pests & certain plants & plant products

1 Nov 2018

According to Article 6 (2) of the Draft Act “Plant health: revised import rules to protect plants and prevent the spread within the EU of diseases affecting them” a letter of authority “…shall be officially endorsed by the Member state of origin…”. Article 6 (3) of the same Draft Act further specifies that “In the case of specified material originating in third countries, the letter of authority […] shall be officially endorsed by the third country of origin…”. As reasonable as the provisions in both articles may appear, they are in practice often unworkable from a company’s perspective that intends to import absolutely essential material for research purposes listed in the Council Directive 2000/29/EC. Our member companies that conduct R&D in integrated and biological crop protection report that they have experienced disproportionate difficulties in the past in obtaining an official endorsement, especially from emerging or developing countries. In some cases it was even impossible to receive an endorsement as required under Article 6 (3). We are very much concerned that the provisions in both articles could significantly disrupt R&D in integrated and biological crop protection, because the import of essential material for research on i.a. crop diseases and measures to control them could become impossible. Therefore, we suggest that the provisions be amended in such a way that the endorsement by the country of origin is a desirable but not mandatory part of the letter of authority.
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Response to Amendment of the import and internal movement requirements of harmful organisms of plants

31 Oct 2018

According to Article 6 (2) of the Draft Act “Plant health: revised import rules to protect plants and prevent the spread within the EU of diseases affecting them” a letter of authority “…shall be officially endorsed by the Member state of origin…”. Article 6 (3) of the same Draft Act further specifies that “In the case of specified material originating in third countries, the letter of authority […] shall be officially endorsed by the third country of origin…”. As reasonable as the provisions in both articles may appear, they are in practice often unworkable from a company’s perspective that intends to import absolutely essential material for research purposes listed in the Council Directive 2000/29/EC. Our member companies that conduct R&D in integrated and biological crop protection report that they have experienced disproportionate difficulties in the past in obtaining an official endorsement, especially from emerging and developing countries. In some cases it was even impossible to receive an endorsement as required under Article 6 (3). We are very much concerned that the provisions in both articles could significantly disrupt R&D in integrated and biological crop protection, because the import of essential material for research on i.a crop diseases and measures to control them could become impossible. Therefore, we suggest that the provisions be amended in such a way that the endorsement by the country of origin as a desirable but not mandatory part of the letter of authority.
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Response to MFF: 9th Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and Rules for Participation and Dissemination

31 Jul 2018

The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) welcomes the proposal of the European Commission for Horizon Europe. Industry is given a decisive role in the programme by placing it in the central pillar “Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness”. In order to exploit the full innovation potential of Horizon Europe the German Chemical Industry Association recommends substantiation of decisive programme elements to foster Europe’s global competitiveness and, possibly, market leadership. It is important that funds of Horizon Europe are on top of national Research and Development budgets and not replacing them. Member states have a responsibility to sufficiently allocate own means, and by tapping on Cohesion and Structural funds, to strengthen their innovation system. For more Information see attached position paper.
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Response to Towards a more comprehensive EU framework on endocrine disruptors

16 Jul 2018

Input of the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) concerning the Public Consultation of the Commission: “Towards a more comprehensive EU framework on endocrine disruptors”: For more than two decades endocrine active substances are given considerable attention by public authorities, the scientific community, industry, and non-governmental organizations. Concerning endocrine Disruptors (EDs) the EU policy and legal framework is the most protective globally. Just recently, after extensive negotiations, the criteria for identification EDs under biocides and pesticides have been adopted and a related guidance document has been issued. In addition under REACH procedures for the identification as SVHC and related risk management options are in place such as authorization or restriction. For the planned Commission Communication with the goals “addressing the gaps in knowledge”, “linking science and regulation”, “cooperating on the global scene” and “provide to citizens the information and advice they need on endocrine disruptors” the following points should be taken into consideration: 1. Before recommendations on the further development of legislation are made, experience with the practical implementation and possible impacts of the existing regulations must be evaluated. This applies in particular to the criteria just adopted for biocides and pesticides regulations and to the procedures for EDs under REACH. In our opinion, valid results can only be obtained after five years of experience at the earliest. 2. Especially in a highly politicised topic such as EDs, it is essential that the Commission relies on advice and assessments from officially designated scientific EU institutions such as the EFSA. In this regard we fully support the EFSA statement: “As a scientific organisation EFSA recommends that these substances – like all other substances present in the food chain – be subject to risk assessment in order to make the best use of available information in ensuring consumer safety. Such an approach considers both potential adverse effects of substances together with the likelihood of exposure to such substances. EFSA believes that scientists can clarify through expert judgement and the weight-of-evidence what may or may not be an endocrine disruptor.” (Internet: www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/endocrine-active-substances; FAQ No. 6). 3. There are still areas with open scientific questions such as the better understanding of the nature, associations and causal relationships of health concerns. All relevant research results should be evaluated by the designated official scientific EU institutions and, if necessary, proposals for further measures should be made on this basis. Otherwise, political and commercial decisions risk being based on speculative evidence and will fail to achieve the intended benefits (health/environmental). Against that background it seems not appropriate to rely on the opinion of few vocal scientists or consultants e. g. appointed by certain Commission services. 4. The constant confusion and irritation of the public, for example through scaremongering, should be prevented by publishing and supporting the assessments and recommendations of the official EU scientific authorities. Society needs trust in the work of these authorities. Therefore recognition by the other EU institutions, in particular the Commission and the Member States, is of the utmost importance. Scientific controversies need to be put into perspective rather than obtaining "opposite opinions" on official assessments for political reasons. The following documents should be taken into account: - VCI Scientific Overview: www.vci.de/ergaenzende-downloads/vci-overview-on-endocrine-active-substances-standortbestimmung.pdf - VCI Position Limit Values: https://www.vci.de/langfassungen/langfassungen-pdf/vci-position-paper-limit-values-for-endocrine-disruptors.pdf
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Meeting with Renate Nikolay (Cabinet of Commissioner Věra Jourová)

7 Jun 2018 · Several legislation files

Response to Revising the rules for free allocation in the EU Emissions Trading System

17 Apr 2018

VCI Contribution: Initiative: Revising the rules for free allocation in the EU Emissions trading System 1) Initial Activity level: According to article 11(1) of ETS Directive, free allocations given to individual installations must be calculated from the data of the years from 2014 to 2018. The mathematic formula used for calculating the Initial activity level should led to a result as close as possible to the production levels. In particular years that are not representative of the normal production level should not be taken in the calculation. 2) Provisions for annual monitoring of production data for more frequent alignments of allocation (dynamic allocation): A more dynamic allocation is welcome by the German chemical industry as this better reflects the needed allocation to protect against carbon leakage. The monitoring and verification needs for installations for a more frequent alignment of allocation shall be as simple and unbureaucratic as possible. The adjustment of the allocation should take place in a timely manner to the assessment of the production changes. 3) Process Emissions: The regulation should reflect, that the tightening of the benchmarks will not cover the so called fall-back benchmarks: At present, a general reduction by 3% is in place for process emissions (2011/287/EU, Article 10 (2b) (iii)). This fall-back approach should be maintained, because a tightening of the reduction without data analysis cannot represent efficiency gains. Such emissions are mostly unavoidable emissions which the companies usually cannot influence. 4) Special impact of the heat benchmark: The new ETS directive regulates that the benchmarks will be updated according to data collection via member states on ETS installations. In the case of the heat benchmark the Commission should consider the following: • Even a reduction by 0.5%/year would result in an allocation benchmark of 57.6 t CO2/TJ and thus in a mathematical fuel efficiency rate of 98.4% for the 1st benchmark period; referred to the 2nd benchmark period this would result in an allocation benchmark of 56.7 t CO2/TJ and a fuel efficiency rate of 100%. • On the technical side, this is impossible to achieve for the following reasons: The existing heat benchmark (62.3 EUA/TJ heat) assumes a gas-fired boiler with an efficiency rate of 90% (emission factor natural gas: 56 t CO2/TJ; heat benchmark: 56/0.9 = 62.3 EUA/TJ heat). Natural gas is the most CO2-friendly fossil fuel (e.g. as compared with coal, fuel oil …). The emission factor cannot be influenced because it is given due to the composition of the natural gas. • The heat benchmark has to reflect the availability of resources and the competitiveness of heat production and of subsequent heat users within the value chain. Updating the heat-benchmark without taking into account resource availability would lead to a tightening of the benchmark that goes beyond what is possible at EU level. Therefore, the update should be based on using natural gas as generally available energy input resource for heat production. This means, that within the 10% best heat producers, biomass and RDF driven installations shall not be taken into account. • Consequently, the only option for further emission improvements would be an efficiency increase in steam generation beyond 90%. Today, new gas boilers are designed to reach an efficiency of ca. 92%. But in real operation that efficiency rate is rarely reached constantly (e.g. due to modulating operation or part-load). [...] Please find more input from VCI to this consultation in the attached document.
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German chemical association urges longer consultation for textile restrictions

7 Mar 2018
Topic — EU proposal to restrict carcinogenic and toxic substances in consumer textile products.
Message — VCI calls for stakeholders to be granted commenting periods of at least six months. They suggest that complex critical substances undergo a full risk analysis rather than a simplified procedure.12
Why — Longer consultation periods and rigorous evidence requirements would help industry avoid regulatory uncertainty.34
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VCI Urges Pragmatic REACH Registration Rules for Industrial Nanomaterials

3 Nov 2017
Topic — Amending REACH Annexes to establish clearer registration requirements for chemical nanomaterials.
Message — VCI wants nanoform identification rules kept in guidance rather than law. They argue for flexible grouping to avoid testing every individual substance form. The industry demands a pragmatic approach to protect future European innovation.12
Why — This would reduce registration expenses and prevent innovative products from being withdrawn.3
Impact — Environmental groups lose detailed safety data if broad grouping rules are adopted.4
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Response to Implementing act on procedures for novel food status

16 Aug 2017

Please find attached the comments of the VCI sector group food additives on the draft Implementing Regulation on the procedural steps of the consultation process for determination of novel food status (Ares(2017)3649134)
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Response to Revision of the EU SME Definition

6 Jul 2017

VERBAND DER CHEMISCHEN INDUSTRIE e.V. Mainzer Landstraße 55 D-60329 Frankfurt am Main Identification number in the EU-transparency-register: 15423437054-40 Revision of the EU SME Definition Inception impact Assessment Feedback The chemical industry in Germany accounts for one fourth of total chemical industry sales in Europe. The German chemical industry association Verband der Chemischen Industrie (VCI) represents some 1,700 companies with around 440,000 staff and sales of some 185 billion euros (2016). Roughly 90 percent of chemical businesses in Germany are enterprises with fewer than 500 employees. The VCI welcomes the EU Commission’s deliberations on the revision of the EU SME definition. Chemical industry companies are impacted by this definition in different ways, for example, as innovative businesses in R&D funding by the EU. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) uses the EU Commission’s SME definition for granting companies with SME status facilitations regarding fees within chemicals registration, and also in connection with other forms of support given for registrations. The VCI will continue to constantly accompany the revision of the SME definition and to make active contributions also to further consultations. Contact: Martin Stuhl Mittelstandsbeauftragter Verband der Chemischen Industrie e.V. Mainzer Landstraße 55 60329 Frankfurt am Main Tel.: +49 (69) 2556-1395 E-Mail: stuhl@vci.de
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Response to Revision of the Regulation on marketing and use of explosives precursors

27 Jun 2017

VCI thanks the European Commission for the opportunity to comment on its roadmap on the revision of the Regulation (EU) No 98/2013 on marketing and use of explosive precursors. The Regulation (EU) No 98/2013 established harmonised rules concerning the availability, introduction, possession and use of substances or mixtures that could be misused for the illicit manufacture of explosives, with a view to limiting their availability to the general public. The vast majority of the relevant chemicals are traded between businesses (B2B). So far, the relevant substances are largely exempted from the control obligations because – in the chemical industry – the relevant products are moving only B2B without direct contact with end consumers or retailers. In view of this specific situation of industry in the supply chain, this is an adequate approach. Numerous levels of wholesale and intermediate trade remain between these B2B activities and retailers. In the chemical supply chain, the sizes of the sold packs continually become smaller at each level. Supplies of small quantities can be almost fully excluded in B2B supply chains. It is in the chemical industry’s interest to work for an effective and practice-oriented implementation of legislation. Within the global initiative "Responsible Care", the German and the entire European chemical industry undertake to fulfill all applicable legal requirements and to additionally strive for constant improvements in health, safety and environment. One pillar of Responsible Care is "Product Stewardship", where companies assume responsibility for their products up to sale. Product Stewardship comprises, inter alia, transparency – including an exchange of information with public authorities on crucial points in the course of business. VCI thinks that the Regulation has proven its worth as an effective instrument, particularly to make it much more difficult for terrorists to gain access to sensitive chemicals. As regards the situation in the chemical industry, the existing legislation is and remains adequate. Therefore, we expressly welcome the proposed first scenario. Ad-hoc initiatives, inter alia regional and thematic workshops, financing projects, issuing voluntary guidance and other support documents, will improve the implementation of the Regulation and create legal certainty. We fully agree with this policy option because it will bring incremental benefits towards all the overall objectives of revising the Regulation. Member States and economic operators could gain experience through the exchange of views on application challenges and good practices. In this context the role of the Standing Committee on Precursors is highly important for facilitation and coordination. It helps to increase the degree of uniformity in application through a common understanding and enhances cooperation between Member States and economic operators, generating more security. It is indispensable to provide economic operators with information and awareness training to enable them to identify and fulfill their obligations. Training and guidance that set out recommendations for employees, contractors, service providers and supply chain partners, as appropriate, would enhance security awareness. As stated in the published report on the application and delegation of power under Regulation (EU) 98/2013 of 28 February 2017, full compliance by Member States with the Regulation has not been achieved. In our view the Commission should ensure full compliance across the European Union before taking any policy actions (scenario 2 and 3) and in order to appropriately assess the existing implementation and application of the Regulation. VCI is looking forward to contribute to a constructive and open dialogue between all stakeholders that benefits security in the European Union.
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German chemical industry demands risk analysis before substance bans

13 Oct 2016
Topic — EU consultation on adding new chemical substances to the REACH authorisation list.
Message — The organization requests a risk management options analysis before substances enter the authorization process. They also call for clear rules regarding low-volume chemical applications.12
Why — This approach protects chemical manufacturers from excessive compliance costs for niche products.3
Impact — Environmental agencies face additional procedural steps that delay hazardous substance restrictions.4
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Response to Commission Regulation amending Annex III to Directive 2008/98/EC

16 Aug 2016

VCI-Stellungnahme :Eine fundierte Detail-Stellungnahme zu den vorliegenden Überlegungen ist aus VCI-Sicht aufgrund der kurzen Fristen und der zahlreichen Abfallströme der Chemie nicht möglich. Insofern beschränken wir uns auf nachstehende grundsätzliche Anmerkungen: Abfälle sind keine Stoffe oder Gemische im Sinne der CLP-Verordnung und unterliegen daher nicht den CLP-Einstufungsregeln. Dies wurde so festgelegt, da bereits kleine Änderungen in der Zusammensetzung u.U. zu erheblichen Verschiebungen in der Einstufung führen können. Anders als bei Produkten unterliegen Abfälle aber keinen aufwendigen Qualitätskriterien, die solche Schwankungen ausschließen könnten. Die EU hat dies u.a. dadurch berücksichtigt, dass für gefährliche Abfälle eine von der CLP-Verordnung abweichende Klassifizierung vorgesehen ist. Eine Anlehnung der Abfall-Einstufung an die CLP-Verordnung muss daher mit Augenmaß erfolgen. Auch die Schutzzielansätze im Stoff- und Abfallrecht sind unterschiedlich. Zwar sollen in beiden Fällen Mensch und Umwelt geschützt werden. Im Abfallrecht ist dies aber speziell im Zusammenhang mit den Gegebenheiten der Erzeugung und Bewirtschaftung von Abfällen zu sehen. Abfälle werden nicht in Verkehr gebracht, sondern sind in dafür umweltrechtlich genehmigten Entsorgungsanlagen umweltverträglich zu entsorgen. Rein stoffbedingte Gefährdungen für Mensch und Umwelt sind daher stoffrechtlich anders zu beurteilen als das Gefahrenpotential von zu entsorgenden Abfällen im Abfallrecht. Vor diesem Hintergrund würde eine rein formale 1:1-Anpas¬sung von HP 14 an die CLP-Einstufung – wohlgemerkt bei unveränderter Eigenschaft der relevanten Abfälle – die rechtlichen Grundlagen auf den Kopf stellen. Daher ist bei der geplanten Anlehnung der abfallrechtlichen Einstufung von HP 14 an die CLP-Einstufung unbedingt darauf zu achten, dass es zu keiner geänderten Einstufung von nicht gefährlich zu gefährlich kommt. Hierdurch würden unverhältnismäßige Zusatzbelastungen im Abfallmanagement entstehen (u.a. bei der Überwachung, bei der Deponierung, bei der Verbringung und auch bei der Führung von Aufzeichnungen), die ökologisch nicht zu begründen wären. Zudem würde auch die Abfallverwertung an sich erschwert. Bei der Einsammlung, Behandlung und abschließenden Verwertung oder Beseitigung von Abfällen sind die Einwirkungen auf die Umwelt grundsätzlich so weit wie möglich zu minimieren und dies unabhängig von einer HP 14-Einstufung. Diese sollte lediglich Hinweise auf mögliche Auswirkungen bei Prozessunfällen mit einer Freisetzung dieser Abfälle und der dann notwendigen Sicherungs-/Sanierungsmaßnahmen geben. Eine ausnahmslose Festlegung von HP 14 mittels konkreter Grenzwerte ist auch deshalb kritisch zu sehen, da die Ökotoxizität von Abfällen häufig nicht sicher mittels Grenzwerten bestimmt werden kann. (der gleiche Abfall kann abhängig von kleinen Verunreinigungen zu unterschiedlichen Einstufungen führen). Es wird daher eine Öffnungsklausel benötigt. So muss es grundsätzlich möglich sein, unter Berücksichtigung möglicher Abfallentsorgungsszenarien und identifizierbarer Belastungspfade, eine Einstufung grenzwertunabhängig festzulegen. So ergibt sich die HP 14-Einstufung manchmal bereits aus dem Abfall-Herkunftsbereich, was dann eine aufwändige Analytik überflüssig machen kann. So gibt es bestimmte Herkunftsbereiche, in denen i.d.R. keine als umweltgefährlich eingestuften Stoffe und Gemische vorkommen. Eine belastbare Plausibilitätsbetrachtung bzgl. Herkunft und Entstehungsgeschichte von Abfällen sollten somit einen Ausschluss von HP 14 ermöglichen. Eine zusätzliche Abweichung von formalisierten Grenzwerten muss mittels eines ökotoxischen „Risk Assessments“ möglich sein, das z.B. im Sinne des Kommissionsbeschluss 2014/955/EU, Anhang, Abschnitt „Bewertung und Einstufung“ eine individuelle Risikobewertung auf Basis von Prüfungen ermöglicht. Der Verweis auf die Testmethoden, wie sie bei Stoffen angewendet werden (VO (EG) 440/2008), wird daher abgelehnt.
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Meeting with Christian Linder (Cabinet of Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič) and Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie e.V. and

11 Sept 2015 · Energy Union Strategy with a forward-looking climate policy

Meeting with Christian Linder (Cabinet of Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič)

26 Feb 2015 · Framework Strategy Energy Union