http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/22716/story.htm
EU launches controversial "user-safe" chemicals law BELGIUM: October 31, 2003 BRUSSELS - Hidden health risks from chemicals lurking in everything from carpets to car interiors should be spotted and stopped under controversial environmental legislation proposed by the European Commission this week. The European Union's executive arm issued the bill in the face of fierce opposition from the EU's 528-billion-euros-a-year ($618 billion) industry, its biggest governments and the United States, which said it could ruin the industry and strain global trade. But green groups were the first to criticise the move, saying the EU had caved in to pressure from big business and issued a far weaker version of the law that requires firms to prove their products are safe or take them off the shelves. "A few big and dirty companies have driven the Commission to set a dangerous precedent: allowing specific business interests to prevail public health and environment protection," said John Hontelez of the European Environmental Bureau. EU Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom told a news conference that business-friendly changes to the bill were reasonable. "Today, more than 100,000 chemicals can be marketed (sold) without testing," Wallstrom said. "We need a balanced approach. Modern society needs chemicals, but we want to know we can handle the risks of those chemicals." "USER SAFE" PRODUCTS Wallstrom admitted that, following a consultation exercise, she had to compromise on the bill's ambition, but said it would still have big benefits. "I don't think it will turn the whole chemicals industry on its head....It's come down to a reasonable cost to be able to label products 'user safe'," she said. The bill aims to close a loophole in EU law which requires new chemicals to undergo rigorous tests for risks to health and the environment, but does not apply to the tens of thousands of substances already on the market before 1981. It will require chemicals makers to register the properties of substances with a central EU database, a gradual process expected to take until 2016 to get through some 30,000 substances. Chemicals considered of highest concern, such as those that cause cancer, damage genes or have an effect on fertility or that persist and build up in the environment or are produced in huge quantities, will undergo a risk assessment. The most dangerous chemicals will require an authorisation to be used - the final step in a three-stage process called REACH - Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals. "LITE" VERSION The European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic), which represents the industry, had previously said the law could spell its ruin. In a muted response to final bill, Cefic President and BASF (BASF.DE: Quote, Profile, Research) board member Eggert Voscherau said: "Given our concerns about workability, we now have to analyse the final proposal to see whether it meets the objectives." The Commission made several changes to an initial draft it issued in May, including reducing the data requirements for two-thirds of the substances that will need to registered, easing the burden on industrial users and completely excluding polymers - complex chemicals made up of other more basic ones - from the regulation. Green groups decried the fact that very hazardous chemicals will still be authorised for use if their risks can be "adequately controlled". They want them banned so industry is forced to seek safer alternatives. "The loophole for hazardous chemicals is a very serious flaw in this draft," said Mary Taylor from Friends of the Earth UK. She said the battle would move from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, representing national EU governments, which can amend or even kill the law. "Parliament and national governments must use their chance to close this. Citizens' health must come first." Italian Industry Minister Antonio Marzano said at a briefing in Berlin later in the day after a meeting with German Economy Minister Wolfgang Clement: "There's a lot of concern about this legislation. We have to avoid having too much regulation in Europe." (additional reporting by Iain Rogers in Berlin) Story by Robin Pomeroy REUTERS NEWS SERVICE ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~--> Buy Ink Cartridges or Refill Kits for your HP, Epson, Canon or Lexmark Printer at MyInks.com. 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