At the Environment Council in Brussels on 22 December, ministers adopted conclusions on combination effects of chemicals and sent a signal to the Commission that EU legislation needs to be adapted to take this into account. During lunch, the ministers discussed the outcome of the recently concluded Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. They also adopted conclusions on biodiversity beyond 2010 and on regional management of water and the marine environment.

Combination effects of chemicals
The ministers adopted conclusions on combination effects of chemicals. This concerns chemicals which, in combination with other chemicals, can be harmful to public health. Risk assessments for individual chemicals are not a sufficient basis on which to judge combined effects. The Council therefore invite the European Commission to adapt EU legislation to take account of the combined effects of chemicals.

Vision for biodiversity beyond 2010
The Council adopted conclusions on biodiversity beyond 2010. The conclusions established the framework for the EU objective and also emphasise the global perspective for the EU objective. The conclusions provide the EU with a common basis for discussions at the UNEP meeting in Bali in February. Spain plans to adopt a new goal for the EU’s biodiversity in Spring 2010, based on a proposal from the European Commission expected to be presented at the beginning of the year.

How did it go in Copenhagen?
The ministers discussed the outcome of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen on 7–18 December. Ministers expressed disappointment over the outcome of the meeting in Copenhagen and agreed that the EU should continue to strive for high ambitions and leadership in the work on climate change. The EU's environment ministers will continue to discuss how to continue with the issue at the informal meeting of environment ministers in Seville on 15–17 January 2010.

Management of marine environment
The Council reached agreement on conclusions on regional management of water and the marine environment, including the implementation of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region. The Environment Council’s conclusions mean that EU environment ministers urge the Commission to speedily designate the Baltic Sea as a pilot project for quicker and more stringent measures to improve the marine environment. The Commission will also quickly draft a proposal for an EU-wide ban on phosphates in detergents aimed at reducing eutrophication. 
 
Debate on biocides
The ministers held a policy debate on a proposal for a revised regulation on biocides. Biocides are chemicals, biological preparations or active ingredients that are intended to destroy or control harmful organisms. Examples of biocides are antibiotics, pesticides, disinfectants and preservatives.