NGOs denounce EU's chemical plan as industry-dominated

European NGOs are sounding the alarm over the European Union's Critical Chemicals Alliance, asserting that the initiative is heavily skewed towards industry interests and lacks meaningful input from environmental and civil society groups. The alliance, established by the European Commission to identify and support crucial chemicals, is facing criticism for sidelining key concerns.

Corporate Europe Observatory and the European Environmental Bureau released a joint report highlighting that the alliance's work is neglecting the "detoxification" of the chemical sector and the reduction of its reliance on fossil fuels. They are calling for any public funding allocated to the industry to be contingent upon stringent conditions, specifically prohibiting support for the production of harmful chemicals.

"The Critical Chemicals Alliance is moving at high speed, with very little public scrutiny and has been captured by corporate interests," the NGOs stated in their document. They argue that the initiative, launched earlier this year as part of Brussels' plan to bolster a sector deemed strategic, is prioritizing short-term corporate demands over public and environmental well-being.

The report details how the alliance's leadership and working groups are dominated by major industry players and trade associations, while smaller, innovative firms and NGOs have been marginalized. The NGOs are urging a redefinition of what constitutes "critical" chemicals, emphasizing their essentiality for public interest and the necessity of alternatives when harmful substances are involved.

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The Critical Chemicals Alliance is moving at high speed, with very little public scrutiny and has been captured by corporate interests.