The ‘Essential Use’ concept - a BusinessEurope position paper

Key messages

• The ‘Essential Use’ concept (EUC) represents a departure from the current risk-based regulatory approach and poses a number of challenges and potential risks such as unclear definitions, substitution by less sustainable alternatives or delay in regulatory decisions.
• It is therefore paramount to ensure the possible integration of the EUC in a way that can enhance the system’s ability to regulate harmful substances without putting breaks on much needed innovation and competitiveness of industry.
• The mere presence of a hazardous substance in a process or product is not a sufficient reason to apply the “essentiality” assessment. The EUC could therefore be a valid solution only if applied in a targeted manner, i.e., in case of proven risks to the health and environment, difficulties in managing these risks and if no acceptable alternatives or substitutes exist.