Archive:Chemicals production statistics

Since June 2007, REACH – the new European Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals – is in force. The major objective of REACH is to ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment, including promotion of alternative methods for the assessment of hazards of substances as well as the free circulation of substances on the internal market while enhancing competitiveness and innovation in the EU chemical industry.

Eurostat is providing statistics and indicators for the assessment of the effectiveness of REACH.

Main statistical findings

Figure 1: Production volume of toxic chemicals, EU-15 (tonnes)

Between 1996 and 2006 the total production of chemicals grew by 22 % (EU-15). The production of chemicals classified as toxic increased by 16 %, with 10 % growth for CMR chemicals. Over the period considered, there was steady growth in the production volume of toxic chemicals, with no decoupling from the growth of GDP observed.

Data sources and availability

Eurostat has developed a production index of toxic chemicals, broken down into five toxicity classes. The indicator presents the trend in aggregated production volumes of chemicals which have been classified as toxic substances according to EU legislation (http://ec.europa.eu/environment/dansub/home_en.htm Directive on Dangerous Substances).

An important objective of REACH is to reduce risks by substitution of hazardous by less hazardous substances. This indicator monitors progress in shifting production from the most toxic chemicals to less toxic classes. The indicator does not provide information on the risk from the use of chemicals: production and consumption are not synonymous with exposure, as some chemicals are handled in closed systems, or as intermediates in controlled supply chains. The toxicity classes, beginning with the most dangerous, are: carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR-chemicals); chronic toxic chemicals; very toxic chemicals; toxic chemicals and chemicals classified as harmful. The indicator is also published as a sustainable development indicator within the theme of public health.

Production volumes are extracted from Prodcom (statistics on the production of manufactured goods) and are aggregated to the five classes according to their toxicity. EU-15 data covers the years from 1995 to 2006, for 2004 to 2006 data for EU-27 is available.

Context

The sixth environment action programme (sixth EAP) requires a complete overhaul of European Union (EU) policy on chemicals management. Since June 2007, REACH – the new European Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals – is in force. The major objective of REACH is to ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment, including promotion of alternative methods for the assessment of hazards of substances as well as the free circulation of substances on the internal market while enhancing competitiveness and innovation in the EU chemical industry.

REACH defines a new period of chemicals policy in Europe. It will increase knowledge in relation to the hazardous properties of chemicals. It is expected to enhance the communication and implementation of conditions of safe use in supply chains and the substitution of dangerous substances by less dangerous ones. Through different types of measures REACH is expected to lead to a decrease in risks to human health and the environment.

Eurostat is providing statistics and indicators for the assessment of the effectiveness of REACH.

Further Eurostat information

Publications

The REACH baseline study, a monitoring instrument for the new European policy on chemicals

Tables, graphs and maps

Sustainable development see:

Public health

Determinants of health

Index of production of toxic chemicals, by toxicity class