The EU green trade claims that it is a "new growth strategy aimed at turning the EU into a fair and prosperous society with no net greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 and in economic growth and resource use in a modern, resource-saving and competitive economy."

Jacques ragot is the vice president of global government affairs at covestro.

The European chemical industry is ready to provide solutions to global challenges and lead the transformation. However, we will face controversial discussions on how to transform the chemical industry and provide the best services for our society while at the same time prospering economically and successfully competing in the global market.

As chemical products are widely considered to be indispensable, necessary, critical or vital, as they provide multiple key strategic value chains inside and outside Europe, sustainable chemicals strategies can only be one of the pillars of the modern chemicals sector. Therefore, CSS should consider sectoral partnerships, incentives, innovation funds and digital technologies in a broader context to promote innovation, produce safe and sustainable products, achieve climate neutrality and support circular economy.

For example, chemical products are a key component of wind turbines, solar panels, batteries and building insulation materials. In addition, they also play a vital role in the daily needs of society, from drugs to clothing. Therefore, chemicals contribute to all strategic value chains in the EU and play an important role in the realization of green agreements, industrial strategies and the proposed economic recovery plan.

Novel coronavirus pneumonia also indicates that China's industry plays a key role in the production of essential goods in this hitherto unknown public health crisis. In addition, the epidemic shows that diversified value chains are essential for rapid and flexible adaptation when trading partners or individual companies are hit by sudden crises. A strong EU chemical industry will ensure the EU's ability to respond to future crises / shocks that are unpredictable today.

The new chemical sustainable development strategy (CSS) should be a central pillar of this green agreement for the chemical industry.

First, consolidate and promote the solid foundation that has been established through better implementation and implementation. We are highly committed to reach, which is at the heart of proving the safety of many existing chemicals. Reach is the foundation of CSS. In the future, CSS should focus on the improvements found in recent reviews and health checks, and improve the predictability of Supervision: simplify to achieve consistency between regulations and avoid duplication, strengthen law enforcement, ensure the enforceability of regulatory measures and solve implementation problems, improve necessary registration files, clarify some of the most complex data requirements, so as to minimize animal testing, And make more use of digital information, inform the safe use conditions of hazardous substances / mixtures, and strengthen risk management program analysis tools.

Second, to make the EU a leader in green agreements and make its industry competitive, the sustainable chemical products strategy should be a solution for sustainable development and global competition. In addition to security as a "must have" starting point, sustainability considerations should reflect the contribution of chemicals to society as a whole, including economic and social conditions, as well as social needs (such as food, energy and public health security). We support the call for the use of safe and sustainable chemicals. So our goal is to provide a more robust, safe and sustainable design. The substitution of hazardous chemicals should be based on a clear understanding of the hazards and risks throughout the life cycle, taking into account functions, different sustainability impacts and contributions, and various value chain drivers. There is no doubt that hazardous substances must be used safely throughout their life cycle and must not have adverse effects on health and the environment.

The green agreement for the chemical industry will enable the European chemical industry to contribute to the realization of the goal of the green agreement in the face of increasingly fierce global competition, and maintain flexibility, innovation, prosperity and strength.

Green sector agreements must provide a framework for controversial, open and transparent discussions, allow informed political and social choices, demonstrate the sector's innovation potential, and maintain its role as a global leader.