Europe’s Toxic-Free Choice: Actions for a more circular and resilient economy, better quality of life and hope for our youth under the 2024 – 2029 legislative mandate

The European Union stands at a pivotal moment to shape a future where prosperity, public health, social justice, and a resource-preserving as well as climate-friendly economy coexist.

Despite advancements in health, climate and environmental policies, the pervasive threat of pollution from hazardous chemicals presents a stark challenge threatening our survival and the Earth’s stability. Found in our water, food, air, and everyday products, these inescapable chemicals compromise our health, causing illness like cancer, infertility, cognitive impairment, and premature death, with disproportionate impacts on vulnerable persons including women and children, and future generations. Europeans are already highly contaminated. Chemical pollution is a profound health crisis infringing on the fundamental human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.

As we look towards the 2024-2029 mandate, the EU must commit to a toxic-free and socially just green transition and support the European industry in leading the way in the innovation of clean and non-toxic chemicals, products, and practices. We owe it to future generations to champion solutions for the climate, the biodiversity, and the chemical pollution crises.

To attain these objectives, policymakers must prioritise the areas mentioned in this document.