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The EU process to classify titanium dioxide is at risk of being derailed by corporate lobbying.

Industry lobbyists are spending millions of euros to influence an upcoming EU decision on labelling titanium dioxide – found in everyday products like sunscreen – a “suspected carcinogen”. The lobbying is led by an unregistered trade association and a public relations consultancy; nonetheless, they appear to have the ear of member states and the European Commission.

Chemical nations, a toxic oligarch ... find out how the EU's titanium dioxide lobby battle concluded. 

To classify as strongly and widely as possible, or not to – that is the EU’s question on titanium dioxide right now. The chemical is found in many everyday items including sunscreen and paint and is a “suspected carcinogen”. Discussion of the classification issue are underway, and what is already clear is that the controversy about corporate lobbying on this file is making some member states think again.

From sunscreen to paint, sweets and toothpaste, titanium dioxide is a chemical whitener found in many everyday products. An ongoing EU process to classify the chemical as a “suspected carcinogen” when inhaled could lead to product warning labels. But hefty lobbying by the chemicals industry seems to be weakening the resolve of the member states taking the final decision.

This week EU member states will decide whether to permit the French Government’s decision to ban the food additive E171, pitting well-funded industry lobbyists against public health campaigners who want the ban extended across the EU.

Brussels/Paris, 07 November 2023 -The EU Critical Raw Materials Act, or CRMA, is in the final stages of its adoption. Framed as the European law to secure our green and digital transitions, a new report, “Blood on the Green Deal” published today by two lobby watchdogs, the Observatoire des Multinationales in Paris and Corporate Europe Observatory in Brussels, questions those green credentials.

New research on the safety assessment of four controversial chemicals shows that two thirds (67%) of the scientists involved had conflicts of interest due to their links to industries impacted by the assessments.

A roadmap for how the EU is to regulate toxic chemicals has been leaked, and the document reveals in stark detail the role DG Grow is playing in mirroring chemical industry lobbying points. It's time for root and branch reform in the European Commission to stop the corporate capture of DG Grow.

New research on the safety assessment of four controversial chemicals shows that two thirds (67%) of the scientists involved had at least one, and some many more, conflicts of interest due to their links to industries impacted by the assessments.

A deregulatory zeal continues to sweep through the European Commission and member states, now turbo-charged by the ‘innovation principle’ and the new ‘One In, One Out’ mantra.

Corporate Europe Observatory uncovers the story of how the toxics industry is fighting back against the upcoming regulation of PFAS or 'forever chemicals', which are found in everything from frying pans to food packaging.

New analysis shows that major chemical industry players ‒ Big Toxics ‒ are at the top of LobbyFacts rankings when it comes to lobby spend.

A discreet but important lobbying battle is currently being fought in Brussels over the labelling of nano ingredients in food products. A European Commission text would completely betray a 2011 regulation by only labelling new additives. The Parliament is attempting to block their text which waters down the label requirements, while the food additives industry is lobbying to stop the Parliament; the vote is 12 March.

What would fill the void if the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) were allowed to collapse? This briefing shows that ending the ETS would not leave a climate policy void.