Indicator 12.10 Consumption of hazardous chemicals

This indicator measures the consumption of toxic chemicals, expressed in million tonnes. The consumption of chemicals is calculated as the sum of the production volumes (PRODCOM) and the net import volumes of the chemicals (COMEXT) according to the equation: Consumption = production + imports – exports. The data on hazardous and non-hazardous chemicals show the total consumption of all chemicals. The two sub-categories of hazardous chemicals – hazardous to human health and hazardous to the environment – overlap by definition and as a result their sum is not equal to the total consumption of hazardous chemicals.

Indicator is used to monitor progress towards SDG 12 on ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns which is embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under ‘Sustaining our quality of life: food security, water and nature’.

SDG 12 calls for a comprehensive set of actions from businesses, policy-makers, researchers and consumers to adapt to sustainable practices. It envisions sustainable production and consumption based on advanced technological capacity, resource efficiency and reduced global waste. The Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) framework aims to improve the protection of human health and the environment through better identification and management of hazardous chemicals. The framework will be updated, supported by the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, which aims to improve the protection of the environment and our health from risks posed by chemicals and to support innovation for safe and sustainable chemicals.

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