Reach-ing further: what do we want to see in the EU’s reformed chemicals law?

ClientEarth argues that the current REACH law is inadequate, noting that over 70% of chemicals produced and used are hazardous. The organization calls for 'REACH 2.0' to implement a non-essential use ban with specific phaseout deadlines, strengthen 'no data, no market' registration requirements, and enable the fast-track restriction of entire chemical groups. Additionally, it advocates for stronger enforcement mechanisms—comparable to GDPR fines—and the creation of legal tools for citizens to demand action against pollution in 'toxic hotspots'.

• The current REACH framework is insufficient for managing chemical pollution, with more than 70 percent of chemicals produced and used being hazardous to the environment or health.
• The 'no data, no market' principle is not effectively implemented, as the majority of substances on the market remain unregistered and only 2% of registered substances are studied, tracked, and understood.
• The process for restricting highly hazardous substances is too slow and resource-intensive, taking an average of nearly six years.
• REACH lacks effective enforcement and national-level sanctions, leading to high rates of non-compliance.
• There are over 17,000 sites across the UK and Europe contaminated by 'forever chemicals', creating toxic hotspots where grassroots organizations struggle for visibility.

APA

ClientEarth (2023). Reach-ing further: what do we want to see in the EU’s reformed chemicals law? https://www.clientearth.org/latest/news/reach-ing-further-what-do-we-want-to-see-in-the-eu-s-reformed-chemicals-law/

Chicago

ClientEarth. Reach-ing further: what do we want to see in the EU’s reformed chemicals law? 2023. https://www.clientearth.org/latest/news/reach-ing-further-what-do-we-want-to-see-in-the-eu-s-reformed-chemicals-law/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=ClientEarth |title=Reach-ing further: what do we want to see in the EU’s reformed chemicals law? |date=5 April 2023 |url=https://www.clientearth.org/latest/news/reach-ing-further-what-do-we-want-to-see-in-the-eu-s-reformed-chemicals-law/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{clientearth2023reaching, author = {{ClientEarth}}, title = {{Reach-ing further: what do we want to see in the EU’s reformed chemicals law?}}, publisher = {ClientEarth}, year = {2023}, month = apr, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/latest/news/reach-ing-further-what-do-we-want-to-see-in-the-eu-s-reformed-chemicals-law/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }