EU Chemicals Strategy must be grounded in science and reflect impact on the entire industrial ecosystem

Photo Source: EC - Audiovisual Service

The European Commission has just adopted its Chemicals Package, aiming to strengthen the EU’s chemicals industry and streamline existing EU chemical legislation. APPLiA, the voice of the home appliance industry in Europe, welcomes the Package’s emphasis on simplification and better implementation of EU chemicals laws. This marks a crucial opportunity to lay the groundwork for the ongoing Omnibus simplification process, driven by a science-based and balanced approach to chemical regulation

Paolo Falcioni, APPLiA Director General, commented: “While yesterday’s proposal does not explicitly point at the home appliance sector, its impact will be felt across the entire European industrial ecosystem. The home appliance industry is a cornerstone of European manufacturing, with products that integrate hundreds of components, sourced through complex global value chains. These products are built to last and evolve through long innovation cycles. For this reason, the sector depends on a regulatory environment that is not only stable and predictable, but also grounded in scientific evidence and proportionality. Failing to account for this complexity risks undermining both industrial competitiveness and Europe’s broader sustainability ambitions.”

Franziska Decker, APPLiA Environment Policy Manager, commented: “Simplification of chemical legislation must result in practical improvements for industry, reducing complexity, enhancing legal clarity, and ensuring that regulation supports innovation. All while continuing to ensure the highest standards of consumer safety. A science-based and risk-oriented approach is essential to create an effective regulatory framework.”

As the second part of the Chemicals Package is expected to follow, pursuing a robust, risk-based approach to chemical assessments, grounded in real exposure scenarios is of crucial importance. This must go hand in hand with improved coherence between chemicals legislation and Single Market principles, to prevent national divergences from creating trade barriers or unnecessary compliance burdens. Equally important is the removal of overlapping regulatory requirements which risk duplicating obligations and generating confusion for industry.

APPLiA remains committed to working closely with EU institutions and stakeholders to ensure that the chemicals policy framework supports innovation, competitiveness, and sustainable industrial growth across Europe.