EPMF News

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Event ‘REACH and Raw Materials: Achieving Europe’s Green Deal goals together’ on October 17 in Brussels


7 December 2023

There is a new vacancy !

The EPMF is recruiting a Scientific Manager.
More information can be found on the dedicated page here.



6 November 2023

‘Coherence, efficiency and predictability’ – concluding words by Wouter Ghyoot (Umicore), the President of EPMF at the debate ‘REACH and Raw Materials: Achieving Europe’s Green Deal goals together’ that was co-organized with Eurometaux. A very timely and topical debate bringing together policy makers, NGO and industry. Our panellists: Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea (DG Environment), Hélène Duguy (ClientEarth) and Adly Manseri (Belgian Permanent Representation) were not only discussing how the REACH regulation could provide more certainty and environmental protection for Europe’s raw materials investment agenda, but also, we tried to find solutions and best possible ways to move forward, especially in coherence between the EU’s chemicals and raw materials policy actions. If missed it, please check the recording here.

France Capon nominated as Vice-Chair of the Chemicals Committee at BIAC

14 June 2023

The EPMF Secretary General France Capon was nominated as Vice-Chair of the Chemicals Committee of Business at OECD (BIAC). The BIAC’s Chemicals Committee enables private sector access to a wide range of OECD activities on chemical management and safety. It also contributes to the development of policies and instruments for chemical testing and assessment, fosters information exchange, and provides a framework for private sector exchanges.
We wish France all the success on this new and exciting adventure!

EPMF General Assembly

6-7 June 2023

A sunny hello from Frankfurt am Main! The EPMF and its Members gathered for a two-day General Assembly meeting. Busy agenda with many topics to cover and discuss. This time we welcomed two very special guest speakers:
– Richard Meads from European Regulation and Innovation Forum. He gave us a sneak peek into a soon to be published research project on regulatory philosophies,
– Philipp Walter, Heraeus showed us that precious metals are indeed indispensable in hydrogen applications and play and important role in carbon neutrality.
Anything fun? The EPMF meetings are never boring! We enjoyed a traditional Frankfurt dinner in a cosy atmosphere and visited Heraeus headquarters in Hanau. A big thank you to our Vice-President Marius Vigener and Heraeus Team for welcoming the EPMF Members at the site. And of course, many thanks to our Members for joining and see you again at the next General Assembly in December in Brussels!

Scientific Publication : “Comparative in vivo toxicokinetics of silver powder, nanosilver and soluble silver compounds after oral administration to rats”

22 May 2023

The EPMF scientific team, Jelle Mertens, Anissa Alami and Katrien Arijs, ARCHE Consulting, is glad to present a new in vivo comparative toxicokinetics study of soluble silver compounds, nanosilver, silver powder supporting the prediction that silver in massive and powder forms exhibit low toxicity potential. The study can be accessed on the EPMF Scientific Publications page or in Archives of Toxicology.
Have a good read!

The EPMF Secretary General France Capon at REACH Conference in Bratislava

22-23 May 2023

The EPMF, Eurometaux and Cefic co-organised a Chemicals Management workshop in Bratislava with a local partner Ekotox.sk. The aim of this workshop was to share information on the REACH revision and have a discussion with authorities and industries of the Visegrád countries. The European Commission presented the current status of the REACH revision and its views on it. The EPMF and Eurometaux provided input on the MAF (Mixture Assessment Factor), the 4C concept (chemicals, climate, circularity and criticality) and critical aspects that are expected for the Risk Management update, e.g. the generic risk assessment (GRA) and the essential use concept (EUC). All the presentations lead to fruitful discussion panels.

‘Metals Day’ at the European Parliament in Strasbourg

9-10 May 2023

The EPMF joined Eurometaux ‘Metals Day’ at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Non-ferrous metals associations and industry representatives came together for panel debates and a high-level dinner with the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). The EPMF co-sponsored a panel on ‘Sustainable raw materials: from the mine to circularity’ with the fellow mining association Euromines. The precious metals industry was represented by the EPMF President Wouter Ghyoot, Umicore. Not only it was a great opportunity to share our views and asks, but also learn about the MEPs position regarding Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), environmental and circularity aspects and their position towards the EU metals industry in general.