The use of chemicals
The chemicals strategy in the EU and globally
The Government laid the foundation for continued Swedish work on chemicals, both domestically, in the EU and globally in the government bill "A chemicals strategy for a non-toxic environment" (Govt. Bill 2000/01:65). The Swedish chemicals strategy is the basis of Swedish efforts to pursue a renewal of EU chemicals legislation and its forthcoming work on drawing up a global chemicals strategy which should be completed by 2005. The Swedish generation goal for chemicals largely corresponds with the results of the World Summit , i.e., that by 2020, the production and use of chemicals must not lead to a negative impact on the environment or health.
The new EU chemicals policy means a radical change in the EU which Sweden has long been pursuing. The product choice and precautionary principles are to apply generally. Responsibility will be given to industry to produce information about the properties of different substances and to register this data in a common EU register. Particularly hazardous substances may only be used to a very limited extent, and only when it is not possible to replace them. The most important objective for Sweden is to ensure that the group of substances that are particularly dangerous is extended to include substances that are persistent, bioaccumulable and carcinogenic (POP, PBT and CMR substances). It is extremely important that continued work, within the EU and globally, includes development of such general principles as the industry's responsibility, and the product choice and precautionary principles.
Pesticides and antifouling products
The reduction of the environmental and health risks of pesticides and antifouling products are areas in which the precautionary principle, the product choice principle and the responsibility of the industry have been, and continue to be fundamental for Sweden's work and for the results that have been achieved. Collaboration has also taken place with various other organisations and agencies.
The EU is preparing a review of work on pesticides/ a revision of the Plant Protection Directive. Sweden has issued statements in which it strongly criticises the fact that existing legislation on pesticides does not conform at all with forthcoming chemicals legislation. Antifouling products will be examined in 2005 in the new Biocide Directive. Here, Sweden is one of the countries with most experience of the issue, even globally. At the same time, and with the assistance of other actors, Sweden needs to continue to be proactive in this work, including the follow-up, development and evaluation of alternatives to these hazardous paints.
Pharmaceuticals and environmental impact
In recent years, publicity has been given to reports on the occurrence of pharmaceuticals in the environment. Researchers in the United Kingdom and Sweden have shown that fish living near emissions from water treatment plants become hermaphrodite and that males adopt female characteristics. There have been discussions on the relation between emissions of hormone preparations and reduced male fertility. Other health hazards that have been discussed are residues of antibiotics and oestrogen-like substances in drinking water which may cause allergic reactions and affect foetus development in humans. However, information on the incidence of pharmaceuticals and their effects on the environment and human beings is scant. In December 2002, the Swedish Government commissioned the Medical Products Agency to study the impact of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and hygiene products on the environment and to present proposals for reducing this impact. Its report will be presented to the Government in July 2004.
