Inside EU Health: ECHA announces support for qualified restrictions on PFAS ‘forever chemicals’; Europe’s one million avoidable deaths
ECHA announces support for qualified restrictions on PFAS ‘forever chemicals’; Europe’s one million avoidable deaths
ECHA announces support for qualified restrictions on PFAS ‘forever chemicals’
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has moved closer to stricter EU-wide controls on PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” citing growing evidence of risks to health and the environment. Two scientific committees support a broad restriction with targeted exemptions.
The Risk Assessment Committee, led by Roberto Scazzola, highlighted links to cancer and reproductive harm. “The final RAC opinion and scientific evidence is clear that PFAS can cause risks… An EU-wide restriction is, therefore, an effective measure,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee, chaired by María Ottati, backed restrictions but stressed proportionality. “The SEAC draft opinion supports a broad restriction… while recognising the need for targeted derogations,” she noted.
However, European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations criticised the move. Its Director General Nathalie Moll warned: “The opinions expressed today… are alarming given what’s at stake for patients… A proper derogation for pharmaceuticals is the only way to achieve this.”
Catherine Feore
Parliament gives conditional approval to EU/US trade deal
After some delays, the European Parliament has approved the EU/US trade deal, but with conditions, including a strengthened suspension clause that allows the EU to suspend preferences if Washington imposes new tariffs or breaches the agreed 15% ceiling.
“With today's vote, we have a strong mandate for negotiations with the Council and we intend to make the most of it. MEPs will only be able to sign up to the trade terms of the deal if the regulation contains very strong and clear safeguards, and only after the US has fully respected the terms of the deal. I intend to defend this mandate firmly in the negotiations,” said Rapporteur Bernd Lange (S&D, DE) Chair of the European Parliament’s trade committee.
“The conditions are clearly defined in Parliament’s position. They include a sunrise clause requiring full US compliance before the regulation can take effect, and a sunset clause ensuring full parliamentary oversight of any extension of the concessions, all the while remaining WTO-compliant. Any further tariff threat, or the failure of the deal to deliver for EU producers and consumers, will lead to the expiry of the legislation.”
Catherine Feore
Europe’s one million avoidable deaths
In 2023, the European Union recorded around 1 million deaths under age 75 from diseases and conditions that could have been treated or prevented, highlighting major gaps in healthcare and prevention. Around a third were treatable and two-thirds preventable causes.
Ischaemic heart disease remained the leading contributor, with the second most treatable condition colorectal cancer, followed by breast cancer.
Regional disparities are stark: Latvia had the highest rate at 498.5 deaths per 100,000, while Cyprus reported the lowest at 152.6, showing significant inequality in health outcomes across the EU.
