The Dutch Council for the Environment and Infrastructure (Rli) organized an on-line debate session with live presentationson 8 June 2020. At this meeting, the Council presented and discussed its advisory report concerning national and EU policy on hazardous substances. With the discussion and reflection involving experts, stakeholders and NGOs, the Council aims to contribute to the debate on a European level. Diederik Samsom, Head of Cabinet of the European Commissioner Timmermans, gave his reflection on the discussion.
Watch the summary of the advisory report (11.51 min)
A grip on hazardous substances - advisory report
On 11 March of this year, the Council presented the Dutch version of its advisory report ‘A Grip on hazardous substances’ to Stientje van Veldhoven, the Dutch Minister for the Environment and Housing. The main conclusion of the report is that current policy on hazardous substances is not sufficient to adequately control the risks to people and the physical environment. The use and number of hazardous substances is increasing, as is the reuse of products containing such substances. New policy is needed to gain more control over these issues.
A firmer grip on hazardous substance issues cannot be achieved through national policy alone, but also requires changes in European Union policy. Therefore, the Council will set out to discuss its findings and recommendations on a European level, with stakeholders from industry, other Member State governments, NGOs and scientists. What are the possibilities and pitfalls with respect to a joint effort to tackle the issues? How could EU-level collaboration contribute to the ambitions of the European Green Deal? In its Green Deal, the European Commission formulated the ambition to have a toxic-free environment with better monitoring, reporting, prevention and remediation of pollution.
For the full advisory report (in English) and the Press Release, click here.
More information
For more information about our advisory report and the on-line debate session, please contact project leader Yvette Oostendorp by email: yvette.oostendorp@rli.nl or telephone: +31 (0)6 2702 0642.