Policy objectives for managing chemicals

All the parties in the Danish Parliament have on 17 November 2017 agreed on a new set of chemicals initiatives for 2018-21 in “Political Agreement on new joint chemicals initiatives 2018-21”.

The overall policy objectives for managing chemicals at the national level are:

Consumers should be confident that they are buying safe products, and this places high demands on the credibility of information. Honest information in communication for consumers about the short-term and long-term effects of chemical substances shall help in this context. Vulnerable groups - unborn babies, children and young people will have the highest priority in managing chemicals.

The strongholds of Danish enterprises should be exploited. It is important to ensure that there is adequate good data to secure responsible use and to avoid substitution with substances that are no better than the original. Consumers should be protected against substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction (CMR substances), affect brain development, are endocrine disrupting, are allergenic, or are of high concern to the environment (PBT / vPvB substances).

There is a need to build knowledge and collect data on chemical substances so that action can be taken where and when it is required for the most harmful substances and substances of concern. Priority on research, development and knowledge-building will therefore continue. Control and enforcement, including sanctions as well as mapping and monitoring are necessary, and expectations regarding control are increasing in line with increasing imports via online trading and new obligations, among others in the biocides area. Controls will be risk-based and must utilise the instruments that promote long-term compliance by enterprises.