The European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) is the influential association of the European chemical industry. Its 650 members include major corporations such as Bayer, BASF, and BP, as well as national trade associations such as the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI). The association is regularly led by the heads of major chemical companies, and more frequently by the CEO of BASF.

In February 2024, Cefic hosted a chemicals summit with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. The "Antwerp Declaration for a European Industrial Deal" was adopted at the BASF site in Antwerp. As a counterpoint to the Green Deal, this EU Industrial Deal calls, among other things, for far-reaching and rapid deregulation under the guise of competitiveness and innovation, including the dismantling of existing social and environmental regulations. It also aims to make the future development and implementation of effective regulations more difficult.

There was strong protest against this. In an open letter shortly after the election, more than 120 organizations called on the EU to abandon these plans.

Source: Automated translation from https://www.lobbycontrol.de/lobbyismus-in-der-eu/neue-eu-kommission-vorfahrt-fuer-konzerne-116259/ 

The undersigned companies and organisations express their full support for a European Industrial Deal to complement the Green Deal and keep high quality jobs for European workers in Europe.

Source: https://antwerp-declaration.eu/signatories