Over 100 organisations call on the European Commission to fully ban PFAS by 2030
The EU Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published the draft proposal for an EU-wide restriction on the production and uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), starting a much needed process to restrict these 'forever chemicals'
Mid-term review of the FREIA project: updates and next steps on how novel research is helping identify endocrine disrupting chemicals that harm female reproductive health
To mark the start of the final stages of FREIA, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) has teamed up with the research project to launch a review of its main findings and milestones of research into the effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on female reproductive health thus far.
Video: HEAL’s six demands for a health-first reform of REACH
The European Commission has announced an overhaul of REACH, Europe’s flagship legislation on chemicals. A new video from the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) spells out how the current system allows dangerous chemicals to slip through the cracks, and our six demands to help get REACH back on track to better protect health and the environment.
Q&A on animal testing and chemical safety assessments
We are exposed to a wide mix of potentially harmful chemicals on a daily basis. To assess whether and how exposure to chemical substances can impact our health and the environment, European and national regulatory authorities rely on the results from several testing methods, including animal testing, when performing their safety assessment. In this Q&A, HEAL answers several key questions about the use of animal testing in the European Union.
NGO Letter to the European Commission: Need to update REACH information requirements
Several NGOs, including HEAL, sent a letter to Executive Vice President Timmermans and Commissioners Breton, Sinkevičius and Kyriakides in February 2023 to call them for an update of REACH information requirements.
Joint letter to the REACH Committee: Restriction of Intentionally-added Microplastics, and Chemical Authorisation Concerns
Seventeen NGOs, including HEAL, wrote a joint letter to the REACH Committee ahead of their meeting on March 1st 2023, to urge the Committee to support a restriction that would include all microplastics, and to address other chemical authorisation concerns.
Groundbreaking cross-country media investigation reveals thousands of sites contaminated by PFAS around Europe, adding further urgency to enact EU-wide ban on ‘forever chemicals’
An unprecedented cross-country media investigation on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination around Europe - The Forever Pollution Project - reveals that more than 17,000 sites are contaminated by ‘forever chemicals’ around Europe.
Civil society groups demand a highly protective EU restriction on PFAS
The EU Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published the draft proposal for an EU-wide restriction on the production and uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), starting a much needed process to restrict these 'forever chemicals'
New HEAL videos explain the ABC for reforming EU rules on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemicals
The EU CLP regulation defines how the European Union classifies and communicates about hazardous chemicals. Reforming this juggernaut legislation is a big opportunity to better protect health. Watch our new videos to learn why!
Nine hazardous chemicals added to REACH’s blacklist: BPS, melamine, isobutylparaben, PFHpA, and more
HEAL welcomes the addition of nine new substances to the candidate list of substances of very high concern (SVHC) under the REACH regulation. This poses immediate obligations on manufacturers and importers to declare if these substances are present in materials or products. More...
French government announces national action plan on PFAS chemicals ahead of expected publication of EU-wide proposal for restrictions
French authorities have today released the country’s first action plan specifically dedicated to PFAS, acknowledging the severe consequences that these ‘forever chemicals’ have on people’s health and the environment and the urgent need to reduce production.
Environmental health groups welcome introduction of European harmonised hazard classes for endocrine disruptors
The European Commission has today released its proposal for the creation of dedicated hazard classes for endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) under the EU legislation for classification, labelling and packaging of…
The curious case of PFHpA and why this and all forever chemicals should be banned under REACH
PFHpA, a member of the hazardous PFAS family, is increasingly being found in our bodies and the environment. HEAL supports the Dutch proposal to identify PFHpA as a substance of very high concern under REACH, which would constitute the first step to put an end to our exposure to this toxic chemical. However, all PFAS need to be regulated as a group to truly get at the root of the problem to prevent further harm.
Webinar: Prenatal exposure to phthalates, bisphenol, and organophosphate pesticide mixtures and fetal growth
6 December 2022, 16:00 - 16:45 CEST Click here to watch the recording of the webinar Click here to download the presentation slides Pregnant women are ubiquitously exposed to a…
116 Scientists ask for revision of World Health Organization’s draft PFAS guidelines
More than 115 scientists have asked the World Health Organization for a complete overhaul or withdrawal of the organisation’s draft drinking water guidelines for two of the most well-studied per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), namely PFOS and PFOA.