Conclusion Report 2021 summarizes the debates held at the 12th Helsinki Chemicals Forum conference

This year, more than 200 delegates from all over the world participated in the virtual Forum on hot regulatory topics selected by the international Programme Committee. The Helsinki Chemical Forum (HCF) promotes through dialogue the case for the safer management of chemicals at global scale while taking stock of the diverse political landscape and hurdles prevailing in the different regulatory systems that aim to protect human health and the environment.

The HCF Conclusion Report intends to be a balanced and accessible reflection of two days of debate. As is the case with the previous reports, it offers a reference point for policy makers, companies, academics and other stakeholders interested in chemical safety.

Six highly topical debates hosted by UNEP, EU, CEFIC, ECHA, OECD and Chemical Watch

The two-day forum included five expert panels and one high-level debate. In total 35 top class specialists from EU and third countries took the floor.

The first panel began by examining the status of the ongoing United Nations negotiations for a post-2020 global chemicals framework. This was followed by panel two, where views were shared on the growing focus on green chemicals policies, particularly the new EU chemicals strategy set under the EU’s Green Deal.

Delving deeper into new strategy for sustainability, European Commission’s environment commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevičius, director general of Cefic, Marco Mensink, and secretary general of the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), Jeremy Wates held a most interesting debate on the ambitions and inherent balance of the proposed strategy.

Panel three explored transparency and risk communication, examining the challenges of traceability of chemicals of concern and its importance in creating market trust. Panel four focused on the barriers and solutions to incentivising research and development and the adoption of safer alternatives. The event’s final panel debate focused on one well-known sector that is facing considerable challenges, the textiles sector.

The report also comprises the main points of the keynotes from Commissioner Sinkevičius and Bjorn Hansen, ECHA’s Executive Director as well as a selection of questions and observations that were posted on the Forum’s virtual platform during the event to capture insights from the delegates.

The 2021 Conclusion Report was prepared by independent intelligence and insight provider Chemical Watch. One can still register for the reduced price of 200 euro and watch the recordings.

The next Helsinki Chemicals Forum will be organised next spring on 30-31 March, 2022, at the same time with ChemBio Finland, the event for the chemistry and biotechnology professionals in the Nordic Countries and Baltic regions. In October HCF will also contribute to the joint CRAC-HCF Forum that will be largely virtual as well.

The Helsinki Chemicals Forum 2021 Conclusion Report on the HCF website >>

The non-profit Helsinki Chemicals Forum is organised by the Chemicals Forum Association in co-operation with its many Finnish and international partners that form part of the HCF Advisory Board..

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