On 22 June, the European Chemical Agency’s (ECHA) Committee for Risk Assessment on which EuChemS sits, met in order to discuss the increasing list of topics that the EU agency is looking at. From authorisations, restrictions and decisions on harmonised classification of substances, it is clear that the agency’s role and scope of action is growing. During the meeting, the topic of microplastics took centre stage, with discussions focusing on how to properly classify microplastics, analyse health risks and on the best ways forward.  It was recognised during the meeting that the literature on microplastics is growing rapidly, with many studies concerned with reporting the occurrence, concentration and characterisation (for example, the composition, morphology and properties) of microplastics in different environmental locations. Only more recently has the literature shifted to studying the hazard and risk posed by different types of microplastics to the environment and to human health. ECHA is currently preparing a dossier with a proposal to restrict intentionally added microplastics in products from which they will inevitably be released into the environment.

On 27 and 28 June, policymakers, scientists and representatives from associations and industry attended the EU conference on EU Chemicals Policy 2030, which aimed, through panel discussions and interactive thematic sessions, to lay out the central aspects of the EU’s chemical policy in the coming years. The development of REACH, the EU regulation for the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals, was praised for its having become an established and comprehensive framework that is now being seriously considered by non-EU countries such as the United States. Further information on the high-level conference together with speakers’ presentations are available online here.

With the European Parliament political groups now formed, Members of the Parliament (MEPs) divided themselves into the different Committee groups (groups that specialise in more specific policy topics). The Industry, Research and Energy Committee (ITRE), which played an important role in the formulation of the next EU research programme Horizon Europe, has retained many of the leading MEPs on the dossier, including Dan Nica and Christian Ehler as well as Jerzy Buzek. The ITRE Committee also elected its new chair, the Romanian centre-right MEP Adina-Ioana Vălean, who had chaired the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee (ENVI) in the last parliament. The continued involvement of politicians that understand and support greater funding for and focus on EU science may ensure that the Parliament’s stance on a more ambitious budget than proposed by the European Commission remains untouched. Find your MEPs in the ITRE Committee here.

On 25 and 26 June, Chania, on the Greek island of Crete, witnessed the unveiling of the first regional EuChemS Historical Landmarks Award plaque, awarded to the industrial complex of ABEA. The site was to become in the 19^th century, through the spectacular contribution of chemistry, a major player in the regional development of the island through the making of soaps derived from olive oil.

The unveiling ceremony took place by the old factory (ABEA, which is still active 130 years later has relocated to more modern facilities), the site of which is dominated by its old brick chimneys. Over 100 people attended the ceremony, many of which were chemists and ABEA staff. Representatives from EuChemS, including Vice-President David Cole-Hamilton and Secretary General Nineta Hrastelj attended the event, as well as representatives from the Association of Greek Chemists, ABEA, and local officials. Alongside several speakers, Nasos Papadopoulos, President of the Association of Greek Chemists’ President and Past President Triantafyllia Sideri welcomed guests and presented the site and the rich history tied to it. David Cole-Hamilton in turn presented the Awards’ goals and aims.

The industrial complex was awarded the 2018 EuChemS Historical Landmarks Award at the regional level following the recommendations of the Landmark Selection Committee and the decision of the EuChemS Executive Board.

EuChemS put in place a Historical Landmarks Award programme in order to recognise and celebrate European sites that have a central role in the history of chemistry, whether at a European level or regionally. The first awardee of the programme, Ytterby mine in Sweden, was presented with the EuChemS plaque in April 2019.

Read more about the history of the ABEA industrial complex here.