Polymer registration in Europe, Kingfisher's phthalates phase-out, financing chemicals management in developing countries

Chemical Watch Podcast

In this edition of the Chemical Watch Podcast, global managing editor Kate Lowe is joined by Europe correspondent Clelia Oziel, business editor Leigh Stringer, and global and emerging markets reporter Ginger Hervey to discuss the issues behind three recent chemicals management stories.

We start in Europe where the American Chemistry Council has joined EU industry groups in urging the European Commission to adopt a "common" approach to polymer registration based on exempting chemicals considered to be of low concern.

Turning to business, we take a look at the European home improvement company Kingfisher which since the start of 2019 has been working towards phasing out phthalates, per-fluorinated and poly-fluorinated chemicals and halogenated flame retardants from its own-brand products by 2025 – and look at the progress the company has made.

Finally, we turn to the global problem of how to finance sound management of chemicals and waste in developing countries – and taking a look at a call from a network of NGOs for an internationally coordinated tax to be imposed on basic chemicals.