Post · bonfire.cafe

Post

@corporateeurope@mstdn.social · last week

It has been exactly 1 year since launch of #ForeverLobbying Project & our own Chemical Reaction report.
Together we exposed access, strategies, & misleading messaging of prominent parts of #PFAS industry against proposed ban.
➡️ https://www.corporateeurope.org/en/chemical-reaction
➡️ https://www.foreverpollution.eu/lobbying/

The work was featured in media outlets across Europe; it has won at least one award & been nominated for others.
The impacts have been far and wide, including prompting a new programme to empower rigorous journalism!

The Forever Pollution Project

The Forever Lobbying Project

The Forever Lobbying Project exposes the real cost of PFAS pollution on the environment, science, and politics.

Corporate Europe Observatory

Chemical reaction | Corporate Europe Observatory

The proposal to restrict PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ is at serious risk of being hijacked by corporate lobbying, says a new CEO report. Find out more, including about the Forever Lobbying Project, a ground-breaking journalistic investigation.

Corporate Europe Observatory

@corporateeurope@mstdn.social replied · last week

But today, after intense corporate lobbying, proposed #PFAS restriction is fragile.
❌ Take 🇪🇺 Commission’s emphasis on tackling consumer PFAS uses (cosmetics, waterproof clothing...) but indicating a far weaker approach on industrial sources of pollution.
https://www.corporateeurope.org/en/2025/05/consumer-pfas-vs-universal-ban

COMMISSION PFAS SPHERES: This cartoon shows 2 blobs: the large green one on the left is saying “The problems caused by forever chemicals”. The much smaller blue blob on the right includes EU stars and with a sad face is saying “The Commission’s proposed solution”. Cartoon by @CartoonRalph

Corporate Europe Observatory

Persistent pollution | Corporate Europe Observatory

PFAS ‘forever pollution’ is widespread across Europe, notably in drinking water and citizens’ blood. Check out our briefing and cartoons to find out why the Commission’s stated priority to ban PFAS in consumer products could just hand the industry a major win.

Corporate Europe Observatory

@corporateeurope@mstdn.social replied · last week

❌ Or see how countries behind the original proposal (🇳🇴 🇸🇪 🇳🇱 🇩🇪 🇩🇰) have already proposed weaker approaches on #PFAS mabufacturing for exports + many new derogations from ban.
❌ Or the 🇪🇺 chemicals agency leaving 8 sectors out of its evaluation.

https://www.chemsec.org/pfas-restriction-proposal-5-red-flags-from-the-recent-update/

ChemSec

PFAS restriction proposal: 5 red flags from the recent update

The update to the EU-wide PFAS restriction proposal included some pretty eye-catching changes. Unfortunately, not for the better.

Corporate Europe Observatory

@corporateeurope@mstdn.social replied · last week

❌ Or recent industry-friendly @europarl.europa.eu report on fluoropolymer #PFAS which:
➡️ risks pre-empting far more detailed ECHA work
➡️ only interviewed industry
➡️ uses a too-narrow lens to assess fluoropolymers
➡️ has research "limitations"
➡️ wrongly says F-gases are already regulated enough

Screenshot of contents page of ITRE committee report: The Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their role as enablers in the competitiveness of European industry

Corporate Europe Observatory

@corporateeurope@mstdn.social replied · last week

❌ And today, despite the intense criticism of EU fluoropolymer #PFAS industry, we see Plastics Europe enjoyed much greater lobby access to Commissioners’ cabinets on varied issues in last year.
2025 = 11 meetings
2024 = 1
2023 = 6
2022 = 1
2021 = 1
2020 = 3
https://www.lobbyfacts.eu/datacard/plasticseurope-services-sprl?rid=454264611835-56

Screenshot of Plastics Europe's entry into EU lobby transparency register via LobbyFacts.eu

Plastics Europe datacard on lobbyfacts.eu

Check out all LobbyFacts data on Plastics Europe as extracted from the EU lobby transparancy register. Plastics Europe is the pan-European association of plastics manufacturers with offices across Europe. For over 100 years, science and innovation has been the DNA that cuts across our industry. With close to 100 members producing over 90% of all polymers across Europe, we are the catalyst for the industry with a responsibility to openly engage with stakeholders and deliver solutions which are safe, circular and sustainable. We are committed to implementing long-lasting positive change.

Corporate Europe Observatory

@corporateeurope@mstdn.social replied · last week

EU Commissioner Roswall told us that Commission “ensured transparency & accountability in all lobby and stakeholder meetings and proceedings”.
The EU Commission also has obligations under EU lobby register.
Today we have written to ask how "accountability" has been demanded of Plastics Europe’s lobbying.

Can e.U hear us?: This cartoon shows a variety of people holding up placards such as "Can e.U hear us?", “People not corporations”, “End privileged access”, “We want to see changes”. Cartoon by @CartoonRalph

bonfire.cafe

A space for Bonfire maintainers and contributors to communicate

bonfire.cafe: About · Code of conduct · Privacy · Users · Instances

Bonfire social · 1.0.1 no JS en

Automatic federation enabled