Industry lobbyists are on the defensive as the European Commission finalises a draft chemicals strategy designed to fulfil the ‘zero pollution’ ambition of its European Green Deal, while green groups issue fresh warnings of undue influence from business interests

The European Chemicals Agency has published a list of 22 chemicals that will face new export restrictions from September, largely targeting active substances in pesticides that have been banned in the EU

Campaigners have reiterated their calls for the EU executive's upcoming chemicals strategy to deliver tougher controls following the publication of official findings indicating that regulation is the main driver behind companies' decisions to substitute hazardous chemicals for safer alternatives

EU member states could adopt watered down bee protection standards used for pesticide risk assessments, according to a document leaked to a green group

With less than a third of plastic collected in Europe actually being recycled, chemical processing will be essential for the EU to achieve its circular economy goals, the industry association Cefic argues