France Moves Toward Substitution for Hazardous Chemicals

The French Green Party (Europe Écologie Les Verts) have submitted a parliamentary bill that should offer better protection to consumers. The planned regulation calls on companies to substitute less-dangerous substances for hazardous substances. In addition, companies should notify the National Institute for Industrial Environment and Risks (INERIS) when their products contain such substances. To simplify the switch to environmentally friendly substances, the French government will offer financial incentives.

Exactly which hazardous substances the French government will include in the list is still unclear. According to Augustin Billetdoux, the spokesperson of the Green Party, the list should include all substances considered substances of very high concern (SVHC). The SIN List of the U.S. nonprofit organization ChemSec could serve as a model.

We would be pleased to advise you on legal context of substances classified as SVHC. Contact us at any time at reach@kft.de.