Twentieth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

With chemical pollution intensifying in the European Union (EU) and critiques mounting over the current REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation, it is imperative to understand rising expectations, fears and controversies. Despite its documented impact on a variety of EU environmental policies, the discourse on EU chemical policies remains starkly unexplored. Responding to calls for more research in EU environmental policy narratives, this study seeks to unveil: How are EU chemical policy narratives shaped in the ongoing REACH revision, and how might these narratives influence policy directions? Using a Discursive Agency Approach, the study combines interviews, stakeholder workshops, and policy document analyses, employing MAXQDA software for qualitative text analysis. The research involves various stakeholder groups - researchers, businesses, civil society, and regulators - aiming to trace and interpret narratives in EU chemical policy during the critical regulatory debate of the REACH revision. By synthesizing and contrasting their perspectives, the research seeks to provide insights into potential policy trajectories and diverse stakeholder aspirations, thereby filling a critical research gap in environmental policy and governance. More than merely tracing narratives, the results show their latent power to shape policy directions. The results offer not only a rich, nuanced exploration of policy trajectories and stakeholder aspirations but also shed light on the underbelly of environmental policy and governance, with its entwined relations and conflicting interests.