Press release - 7 May, 2003
Today, the Prodi Commission failed to endorse the principles for a new EU chemicals policy that had been presented by Commissioners Wallström and Liikanen. Environmental NGOs blame the Commission President for failing to take leadership for what is called "one of the biggest reforms" of this Commission. At stake is the protection of human health and the environment in Europe, where over 100,000 chemicals are currently marketed and used without adequate environmental and health assessment. The Commission is failing to act on hazardous chemicals, despite ample evidence of widespread accumulation of chemicals in our body and environment.
In addition, the Commission has accepted a number of conditions
set by industry associations, which result in further, unnecessary
delays as well as weakening of the public health and environmental
objectives of the reform. The prolonging of an internet
consultation on the draft regulation to a period from 5 to 8 weeks,
while minor on the surface, threatens to derail the entire progress
of the legislation and prohibit the Commission from publishing its
proposal before summer. In consequence the European Parliament will
not be able to hold a first reading, nor the Council be able to
issue a common position before EU enlargement. One year at least
will be lost and political momentum put in jeopardy!
Environmental NGOs had great hopes for the reform outlined in
the Commission White Paper from February 2001, which was strongly
supported by Parliament and Council. The White Paper proposed to
oblige industry to provide safety data on the chemicals sold, and
included a new authorisation system for phasing out the use of the
worst 1500 chemicals. However; it is now clear that Commissioner
Wallström and Liikanen backed down on crucial components of the
reform, failing to include an obligation on industry to stop using
the worst chemicals when safer alternatives are available,
abandoning the principle of public right to know, and failing to
provide proper protection from chemicals in imported products. This
cut-down system would not encourage the chemicals industry to
become sustainable. Both Commissioners must go back to the drafting
table and fix these problems in the coming weeks.
Stefan Scheuer from EEB said today: "Prodi's lack of leadership
on this issue is causing further delay - a delay which, according
to the Commission's own figures, will cause up to 4300 unnecessary
cancer cases per year. It is Prodi's role to lead the reform and
ensure that the wishes of society are reflected in the result - and
not only short-term particular business interests."
Michael Warhurst from WWF added: "It comes down to one question
- do we want to phase out the chemicals that accumulate in wildlife
and ourselves, and those that disrupt our hormones to which even
the unborn infant is exposed? I believe that the European public
does - and the European commission is failing to get moving on this
crucial task."
Jorgo Iwasaki-Riss from Greenpeace added: "The very fact that
these chemicals are found in common consumer products -
televisions, perfumes, sportswear, cleaning and body products -
only shows the degree to which unregulated chemicals have permeated
our society and environment. Even ordinary housedust has become
saturated with these chemicals.: To protect public health and the
environment, Europe needs legislation that will require industry to
substitute such hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives."
Mary Taylor from Friends of the Earth added: "According to
recent polls, 38% of Europeans are very worried for the use of
chemicals. More than 40% are very worried of air, water, soil and
food pollution, mostly generated by chemicals. The Commission has
chosen to ignore people's concerns in the name of unproven risks
for the competitiveness of the chemical industry".