We are exposed to chemicals everywhere in our daily lives. This exposure has been associated with numerous health impacts, such as cancer, weakening of the immune system and normal functioning of organs, disruption of the hormonal system and the reproductive system, birth defects and negative impacts on the mental, intellectual and physical development of children.
HEAL works with partners and decision-makers to minimise and ultimately end human exposure to hazardous and health-harming chemicals in Europe, and towards protective laws and regulations for a non-toxic environment.
HEAL’s comments on ECHA’s recommendation to amend REACH authorisation list entries for Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
16th May 2024
HEAL supports the proposed amendments to the REACH authorisation list entries for Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), which is listed as a substance of very high concern under REACH due to its toxicity for reproductive prpoerties and its endocrine disrupting effects on human health and the environment.
HEAL’s comments on ECHA’s draft recommendation to include melamine in the authorisation list of REACH
16th May 2024
HEAL strongly supports the inclusion of melamine, a substance that's harmful for human health and the environment, in the authorisation list of REACH.
Press Note: Member States water down Toy Safety Legislation
15th May 2024
Press note: The Council of the EU adopted their position on the updated rules of the toy safety regulation, which leaves many gaps on children’s protection from harmful chemicals.
To achieve a strong Europe, we need leaders unafraid to prioritise health
7th May 2024
Blogpost by Genon K. Jensen, HEAL founder and Executive Director on the need to prioritise health in the 2024 EU elections: it is time policymakers take strong and consistent action to address climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution for their constituents' benefit.
Ten pathways for better health 2024-2029
7th May 2024
With the elections 6-9 June 2024 and a new policy cycle to 2029, European Union decision-makers can choose the path to better health, by recognising the urgency to act and adopting environmental and climate policies which accelerate the transformation that needs to happen in this decade.
HEAL encourages all Europeans to go and vote, for better health for all.
HEAL’s comments on ECHA’s recommendation to amend REACH authorisation list entries for Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
16th May 2024
HEAL supports the proposed amendments to the REACH authorisation list entries for Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), which is listed as a substance of very high concern under REACH due to its toxicity for reproductive prpoerties and its endocrine disrupting effects on human health and the environment.
HEAL’s comments on ECHA’s draft recommendation to include melamine in the authorisation list of REACH
16th May 2024
HEAL strongly supports the inclusion of melamine, a substance that's harmful for human health and the environment, in the authorisation list of REACH.
HEAL’s response to the EU Commission’s proposal to prohibit BPA and other bisphenols in food contact materials
8th March 2024
Commenting on the European Commission’s proposal to restrict the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenols in food contact materials, HEAL calls for swift action and ambition to protect health and the environment against hazardous chemicals found in food packaging.
HEAL’s analysis of the draft European Parliament ENVI report regarding the legal proposal for reform of the CLP legislation
3rd May 2023
HEAL analyses the draft report of the European Parliament (EP) ENVI committee on the legal proposal for reform of the legislation on the classification, labelling, and packaging of chemicals (CLP).
Response to the public consultation on the revision of the legislation on the classification, labelling, and packaging of chemicals (CLP)
29th March 2023
HEAL welcomes the draft proposal for a revision of the CLP legislation and overall shares…
Polyrisk flyer: How micro- and nanoplastics in the environment might impact our health and immune system
30th March 2023
While evidence of the existence of microplastics within our bodies exists, we currently do not know how they affect human health. This new Polyrisk flyer illustrates how this EU-funded project aims to advance the science of how MNPs in our environment impacts health, particularly in relation to the immune system.
Q&A on animal testing and chemical safety assessments
27th February 2023
We are exposed to a wide mix of potentially harmful chemicals on a daily basis. To assess whether and how exposure to chemical substances can impact our health and the environment, European and national regulatory authorities rely on the results from several testing methods, including animal testing, when performing their safety assessment. In this Q&A, HEAL answers several key questions about the use of animal testing in the European Union.
How PFAS chemicals affect women, pregnancy and human development: Health actors call for urgent action to phase them out
25th May 2021
The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO), the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the University of California in San Francisco (UCSF) have published a fact sheet and infographic to call for immediate action against “forever chemicals”, to protect reproductive health, fertility and human development.
A 10+13 agroecology approach to shape policies and transform EU food systems
28th January 2021
This policy paper puts forward a proposal to mainstream agroecology into the policies governing EU food systems. It builds on the consensual vision of a coalition of EU civil society, farmers and scientific organizations to use the FAO ‘10 Elements of Agroecology’ and ‘13 Agroecological Principles’ as a framework to develop the appropriate instruments and targets for EU policies.
The problem of PFAS in Europe – joint NGO flyer
30th March 2020
Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl Substances, more commonly known as PFAS, are a particularly harmful chemical group. In this flyer, HEAL, CHEMSEC, EEB, CHEM Trust and THINK-Film explain the problem of PFAS in Europe.
How endocrine disrupting chemicals affect women’s reproductive health: new factsheet and infographic by the FREIA project
9th March 2020
It is beyond a doubt that endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) impact the health of humans and the environment globally. Surprisingly, we still don’t know exactly how EDCs can harm female reproductive health. The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) has teamed up with the FREIA project to launch a factsheet and infographic - available in English, Dutch and French - to introduce this research project and to illustrate how EDCs affect women’s health.
Infographic: The EU must protect people’s health and the environment against endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)
3rd April 2024
The EDC-Free Europe coalition, of which HEAL is a member, has launched a new infographic illustrating the harmful impacts of exposure to known and suspected endocrine disruptors on our health and the environment.
Infographic: How can an EU-wide PFAS restriction be a game-changer for health?
27th March 2024
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of over 10 000 chemicals also known as “forever chemicals’ are taxing our health and economy. HEAL’s new infographic highlights key strengths and weaknesses in the proposed EU restriction on PFAS.
Infographic: The EU must ban PVC!
7th November 2023
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a commonly used plastic that exposes people and the environment to toxic, carcinogenic chemicals and contaminants.
Infographic: How can a revised CLP Regulation help identify harmful endocrine disrupting chemicals?
13th July 2022
HEAL’s new infographic illustrates how the upcoming revision of the EU Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation can help better identify harmful endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) within European chemicals laws.
HEAL and European Cancer Leagues relaunch infographic illustrating how Europe can prevent cancer by tackling environmental pollutants
25th May 2022
To mark the start of the European Week Against Cancer 2022, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and the European Cancer Leagues (ECL) have teamed up to relaunch an infographic telling the story behind environmental cancer prevention.
Infographic: Reforming EU rules on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemicals to better protect health
20th April 2022
This easy-to-use infographic explains why reforming EU rules on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemicals (CLP) is an opportunity to better protect health in the European Union.
Joint letter to the REACH Committee on the restriction of PFHxA
29th February 2024
Seven NGOs, including HEAL, sent this letter working on the protection of health to the REACH Committee regarding its discussion on the restriction of PFHxA under the REACH Regulation and on the restriction on lead in ammunition for hunting, outdoor sports shooting and in fishing.
70+ Civil society groups send letter to Belgian Prime Minister ahead of high-level, closed event with the chemical industry
20th February 2024
Over 70 civil society groups call for transparency ahead of a high-level, closed event hosted by the Belgian Presidency of the EU together with the chemical industry in the ports of Antwerp.
Joint letter – Restrict hazardous substances in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
16th February 2024
HEAL among many other organisations call for the negotiators of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation to reach an agreement on a robust approach to address substances of concern in
packaging materials in the ongoing discussions.
HEAL & EEB letter on the promotion of protective hazard identification and labelling processes in the reform of CLP regulation
4th December 2023
HEAL and the European Environmental Bureau sent a joint letter to permanent representatives and ambassadors to the European Union with regards to the trilogue negotiations about the reform of the EU regulation on the classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals (CLP), calling for promotion of protective hazard identification and labelling processes of chemicals.
Press Note: Member States water down Toy Safety Legislation
15th May 2024
Press note: The Council of the EU adopted their position on the updated rules of the toy safety regulation, which leaves many gaps on children’s protection from harmful chemicals.
Press Note: Health groups call on the European Parliament to protect children’s health from harmful chemicals in toys
12th March 2024
Press note: Health groups call on the European Parliament to protect children’s health from harmful chemicals in toys
Press Note: Health groups welcome restriction on widely used sub-family of PFAS
1st March 2024
Press note: Member state’s representatives voted in the REACH Committee to restrict PFHxA – a subfamily of the “forever chemicals” PFAS - that is widely used in for example clothing and food contact materials.
Press Note: New scientific study indicates PFAS can increase risk of disease in unborn children
9th January 2024
The Health and Environment Alliance welcomes a new scientific study published in Lancet Planetary Health by researchers at Aberdeen and Örebro Universities that indicates PFAS affect people as early as in the fetal stage of development.
Press Note: Agreement on the CLP reform – health groups welcome the outcomes of the negotiations
6th December 2023
The Health and Environment Alliance welcomes the compromises reached throughout the discussions. The agreed legislative changes have the potential to make CLP a more protective and efficient piece of legislation.
Press Release: ECHA report confirms that regulatory action is needed on PVC and its additives
29th November 2023
Civil society organisations welcome the publication of the new investigation report on PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and its additives by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The findings clearly indicate harm to health and environment from some substances added to PVC and the release of its microparticles.
‘Forever chemicals’ widespread in disposable food packaging from popular fast-food chains across Europe, new study shows
20th May 2021
The use of persistent and health-harming PFAS chemicals in disposable food packaging and tableware is a widespread practice across Europe, as shown in a study by Czech NGO Arnika, HEAL, CHEM Trust and six other non-profit organisations in Europe.
Turning the plastic tide: New HEAL report puts the spotlight on how chemicals in plastic are putting our health at risk
9th September 2020
Today the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) releases the primer 'Turning the Plastic Tide', unwrapping the story behind the chemicals in plastic that put our health at risk.
Toxic Soup: Dioxins in Plastic Toys
23rd November 2018
A new study, "Toxic Soup: Dioxins in Plastic Toys", shows alarming levels of very toxic brominated dioxins in eight toys and one hair clip made of recycled plastic stemming from electronic waste.
Toxic chemicals found in carpets sold by major European manufacturers
30th October 2018
New research has found toxic chemicals in carpets produced and sold by some of the…
European Study Exposing Toxic E-Waste Chemicals in Children’s Products Spurs Calls for Policy to End Recycling Exemptions for Hazardous Waste
16th October 2018
Environmental health researchers released alarming evidence today that toxic brominated flame retardants, hazardous chemicals from electronic waste that are known to disrupt thyroid function and cause neurological and attention deficits in children, are contaminating recycled plastics in consumer products across Europe.
Swept under the rug: new report reveals toxics in European carpets threatening health, environment and circular economy
6th March 2018
Brussels - Toxic substances linked to a range of adverse health impacts can be present…
