It’s been a busy period in European policy covering regulation, funding and industrial development.
Today (19th September), the Commission has adopted new measures under the Reach regulation – EU chemicals legislation – restricting the use of undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) and PFHxA‑related substances.
The restriction will ban the sale and use of PFHxA in consumer textiles, such as rain jackets; food packaging, such as pizza boxes; consumer mixtures such as waterproofing sprays; cosmetics (skin care); and in some firefighting foam applications used for training and testing.
However, it does not affect other applications of PFHxA, for example in semiconductors, batteries or fuel cells for green hydrogen.
This restriction is an important step forward in reducing PFAS emissions, since PFHxA is often used as substitution for another already banned PFAS (perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA). It is based on the scientific assessment of ECHA’s Committees and has successfully passed the scrutiny of the European Parliament and the Council.
Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice-President for European Green Deal, Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, said, “This restriction of PFAS is a decisive step in our strategy to boost sustainability, competitiveness and innovation in the chemicals sector. Substituting ‘forever chemicals’ helps to keep our environment healthy, preserve our resources, and drive innovation in cleaner alternatives. The direction is clear, and businesses will have sufficient transition periods to adapt.”
Ukraine funding
In a joint press conference with the International Energy Agency, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said it is making additional funding close to €160m to Ukraine this winter.
“We are boosting decentralised production of energy. This includes rolling out more renewables in the country,” she said, announcing a ‘repair, connect and stabilise’ strategy.
Around 80% of Ukraine’s thermal plants have been destroyed along with half of the country’s energy infrastructure – equivalent to three Baltic States’ capacity. Ukraine needs around 17 gigawatts (GW) of power this winter.
One proposal involves a full thermal power plant that is being dismantled in Lithuania and shipped ‘piece by piece’ to Ukraine.
Austrian state aid
The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules a €2.7bn Austrian scheme to support companies active in the industrial sector to decarbonise their production processes.
The aid will be awarded through a competitive bidding process and the first auction is expected to be launched this year. All supported projects will be required to use energy from renewable sources only.
The scheme will run until 31st December 2030 and expected to bring around 10.5 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent savings until 2040.
Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy, said the scheme will help Austrian industries decarbonise their production processes and achieve greater energy efficiency. “The measure will also help Austria reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels, while ensuring that any potential competition distortions are kept to a minimum,” she said.
New appointments
Teresa Ribera will be Executive Vice-President of a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition and responsible for Competition policy. She will guide the work to ensure that Europe ‘stays on track’ for its goals set out in the European Green Deal.
Henna Virkkunen is to become Executive Vice-President for Tech-Sovereignty, Security and Democracy and responsible for the portfolio on digital and frontier technologies, as well as involved in internal and external security.
Stéphane Séjourné has been appointed Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, responsible for the Industry, SMEs and the Single Market portfolio. He will oversee investment, innovation, economic stability and security, and trade.
Wopke Hoekstra will be the Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth, working on implementation and adaptation, climate diplomacy and decarbonisation, as well as taxation.
