Un piano d'azione per l'industria chimica europea

 welcomes the Commission’s European Chemicals Industry Action Plan, which recognises the importance of the chemicals sector as ‘the industry of the industries’ and recognition of the crucial role of local and regional authorities (LRAs);

 highlights the need for a strong partnership between the Commission and LRAs to ensure effective implementation through a place-based approach, taking into account the diverse industrial strengths and unique industrial capabilities and vulnerabilities, and the division of powers within the Member States;

 welcomes the establishment of the Critical Chemicals Alliance; underlines that the Alliance must act as a strategic umbrella enabling cooperation and facilitating dialogue with LRAs, Member States, industry, including small and medium-sized enterprises with a multi-level governance approach;

 emphasises the importance of affordable internationally competitive sources of energy as well as security of supply for EU industry;

 underlines the need for the Commission to develop lead markets for the chemicals sector;

 calls on the Commission together with LRAs to align education and vocational training with the rapidly evolving needs of industry, to prioritise STEM and digital competencies, and to position the EU as a global leader in sustainable, high-tech, and competitive sectors; and

- highlights the urgent need to secure consistency and coherence in areas such as permitting, environmental compliance, the circular economy and the reuse of waste materials, and innovation incentives in order to reduce fragmentation of regulations across towns, cities and regions.