The Swedish government has decided to significantly cut funding for the Swedish 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 compliance with the rules on chemicals and advises companies on how to replace dangerous substances. The monitoring activity also allows KEMI to publish reports on chemical risks related to everyday objects, such as kitchen appliances, electronic devices and power cables, as seen. (2)
The controls They also include pesticides and other plant protection products used in Sweden.
Swedish Chemical Safety Agency weakened
'It is expected that the Chemicals Inspectorate will receive reduced funding from the government and today notifies the dismissal of 38 employees. 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 shipment of weapons to Ukraine for a total of 4,35 billion euros – significantly impacts the functioning of KEMI. (3)
KEMI, 38 layoffs due to funding cuts
'Since the start of the year There was a hiring freeze and most probationary employees 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 wage 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
A professional journalist since January 1995, she has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic studies on food and has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
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