Right now the UK Government is deciding the state of our chemical future, designing a post-Brexit Chemicals Strategy that if done well, could act as a road map out of our current chemical pollution crisis. By setting ambitious targets and committing to clear and time-lined actions, the UK has a unique opportunity to turn the tide on environmental pollution.
But, done badly, we allow harmful chemicals to continue to pervade our lives, damage our ecosystems and…actually, let’s not think about that right now… this is an amazing opportunity, let’s focus on that! By getting this right, we can set a global standard here in the UK for others to follow, this is our chance and we must stand up and take it.
We are all aware of the climate crisis, with it’s iconic youth leaders raising awareness and challenging politicians to take action. We see biodiversity loss and more importantly, we feel it, with an entire plastic revolution inspired by our emotional connection to a grieving pilot whale. And yet, chemical pollution continues to seep through our lives and our environment with little recognition.
Right now is our opportunity to change that, to tell the Government we want a toxic-free future and a chemical strategy that puts health and environmental protections at its heart.
12 key asks for a toxic-free future
Fidra have joined with 26 other health and environmental NGOs in putting together 12 Key Asks for the UK’s Chemical Strategy. We strongly believe that these asks are fundamental to ensuring health and environmental protections are put at the forefront of decision making.
Our 12 Key Asks for the UK Chemicals Strategy are summarised below, or click here to view and freely download the full document and signatory list.
- Prioritising prevention and precaution – taking action early to prevent harm.
- Phase out the most hazardous chemicals from consumer products, for all non-essential uses – there are some chemicals that should simply not be in our everyday products.
- Protect UK citizens and the environment from endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) – the harmful impacts of EDCs are well documented and they must be avoided.
- Phase out the use of PFAS and other very persistent chemicals – learn from past mistakes, if a chemical does not break down in the environment, we must treat it with an even greater level of caution.
- Speed up regulation of harmful chemicals and avoid regrettable substitution by adopting a grouping approach – we cannot effectively manage chemicals one at a time, there are simply too many.
- Address the ‘cocktail effect’ – we are continually exposed to a diverse range of chemicals and we must consider how these work in combination.
- Maintain and expand on workers’ health and safety – this includes recognition of the disproportionate impact of endocrine disruptors on women’s reproductive health.
- Ensure a clean circular economy with products that are safe by design – we must prevent harmful chemicals creating a barrier to product reuse and recycling.
- Develop an effective monitoring and alert system – we must ensure emerging contaminants are identified and their impact mitigated as soon as possible.
- Stop the continued accumulation of legacy chemicals in the environment – take action on stocks and contamination from chemicals that are already banned.
- Remain aligned with the world-leading chemical regulation EU REACH – close partnership ensures knowledge and data sharing, and reduces the burden on industry.
- Ensure more transparency and use of all relevant science for assessing health risks – make sure we use the best and most recent scientific research to assess chemical risk effectively.
What can you do?
Help us share this message and start an important conversation about chemical pollution, because this affects us all! It impacts our seas, our beaches, our air and every iconic wildlife species we fight so hard to protect, so whatever your passion, now is not the time to look away.
If you support or are involved with a UK charity or NGO, why not send them this blog and encourage them to add their name to these 12 Key Asks. And if you are an NGO that wants to find out more or add your support, email us at info@fidra.org.uk.
Dr Kerry Dinsmore