The Swedish government has decided on a major cut in funding for the Chemicals Agency (KEMI), a body of excellence in chemical risk prevention that protects consumers and helps companies improve their production. (1)
KEMI, a barrier to dangerous chemicals
The KEMI agency (Kemikalieinspektionen) is involved in various activities aimed at reducing the risk of people and the environment being harmed by chemicals.
KEMI monitors chemical compliance and offers advice to companies on how to replace hazardous substances. Supervision also enables KEMI to publish reports on chemical hazards related to everyday objects, such as on kitchen appliances, electronic equipment and power cables, as seen above. (2)
The controls are also being applied to pesticides and other ‘plant protection products’ used in Sweden.
Swedish Chemical Safety Agency weakened
‘The Chemicals Inspectorate is expected to receive reduced funding from the government and is today notifying 38 employees of layoffs. The notification affects all parts of the company,’ announces the agency, which has 290 employees at its headquarters in Sundbyberg.
The funding squeeze of the Swedish government – which three months ago launched yet another arms shipment to Ukraine totalling EUR 4.35 billion – has a significant impact on the functioning of KEMI. (3)
KEMI, 38 layoffs due to funding cuts
‘Since the beggining of the year there has been a hiring freeze and most of the probationary employees have had to resign.
The assessment is that we need to reduce our costs by SEK 35 million (just over EUR 3,062 million, ed.) compared to 2024. Our biggest expense is salary costs and to balance the budget we now unfortunately have to prepare to reduce the number of employees.’, says General Manager Per Ängquist.
Marta Strinati
Footnotes
(1) Kemikalieinspektionen varslar 38 om uppsägning. 26.6.24 https://www.kemi.se/arkiv/nyhetsarkiv/nyheter/2024-06-26-kemikalieinspektionen-varslar-38-om-uppsagning
(2) Marta Strinati. Forbidden chemistry in kitchen appliances. The KEMI report. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade).
(3) Sweden, military aid for 1,16 billion euros to Kiev. ANSA. 29.5.24 https://www.ansa.it/sito/notizie/topnews/2024/05/29/svezia-aiuti-militari-per-116-miliardi-di-euro-a-kiev_ec5a5415-68e7-47d4-900b-1a50a9601c64.html
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
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