Press release - October 10, 2006
Brussels, Belgium — Environmental, women’s, health and consumer organisations see today’s
Environment Committee vote on the new EU chemicals law (REACH) as a vital step towards
protecting health and the environment from chemical contamination. The Committee strongly
supported the substitution of hazardous chemicals whenever safer alternatives are available.
The vote reflects cross-party support for the substitution principle and re-confirms a decision made by the entire assembly last November, which has so far been ignored by the Council of Ministers. It sends a strong message back to the Council that MEPs remain determined that chemicals of very high concern should be replaced with safer alternatives whenever possible. This legal obligation is essential to drive innovation of safer chemicals, in order to end the build-up of harmful substances in our bodies and the environment - one of the key objectives of REACH.
The groups also welcome the Environment Committee's decision to ensure that a legally binding "duty of care" applies to all chemicals, making chemical producers responsible for the safety of their products, as well as the Committee's backing for more information for consumers about chemicals in everyday products.
They call on Ministers and the European Commission to endorse the European Parliament's position in discussions over the coming weeks. Intense pressure from the chemical industry to date has resulted in severe loopholes in the law, say the groups. Now, substitution of all the most hazardous chemicals is the only chance for decision-makers to enable REACH to improve the protection of human health and the environment beyond current legislation.
Other contacts:
Noemi Cano, WWF DetoX Campaign Communications Manager, tel. +32 (0) 479 610451
Mecki Naschke, EU Policy Officer Chemical and Industry Policies at European Environmental Bureau, tel. +32 (0) 2 298 10 94
Javier Calvo, Policy Officer at Eurocoop, tel. +32 (0) 2 285 0076
Aleksandra Kordecka, Chemicals Campaigner at Friends of the Earth Europe, tel. +32 (0) 2 542 61 08
Nadia Haiama, EU Policy Director on Chemicals at Greenpeace European Unit, +32 (0) 2 274 19 13
Lisette van Vliet, Toxics Policy Advisor at Health & Environment Alliance (formerly EPHA Environment Network), tel. +32 (0) 2 234 3645
Daniela Rosche, Chemicals Policy Coordinator at WECF (Women in Europe for a Common Future), tel. +31 6 22 95 00 27