If you thought rules aimed at protecting Europeans and the environment from 30,000 chemicals sounded too ambitious, you were right. Under pressure from industry and governments the European Commission is being forced to water them down. Less safety information will be required for two-thirds of the chemicals, and the precise use of some of them will remain confidential.
As New 杏吧原创 went to press, the EU issued its ground-breaking legislation for testing the safety of chemicals in common use. Chemical companies had condemned the earlier draft proposals, known as REACH, as too costly. The US, British, French and German governments were also strongly critical, fearing they would lead to job losses.
As a result the commission has relaxed rules for the 20,000 chemicals produced in quantities of 1 to 10 tonnes a year. However the UK Chemicals Industry Association wants the commission to go even further. By reducing the scope of the legislation, the commission has 鈥渃ompleted half the job鈥�, it says. But the environmental group Greenpeace fears that the law 鈥渨ill not do anything to protect human health and the environment鈥�, unless it is strengthened. It is now due to be considered by the European Parliament.
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