21/01/2005 In a ‘public
hearing’ kicking off the European Parliament’s
debate on chemical regulation on January 19,
MEPS, industry and NGOs agreed that the argument
for new EU chemical law known as REACH had
been won. The discussion is now on finalising
the details of the proposals.
WWF is satisfied that the idea of the REACH
law is widely accepted, but is still seeking
improvements to the draft legislation, and
is concerned that industry ‘amendments’ could
still fatally undermine the proposals.
"Although there are still problems,
there is good will to solve them" said
Karl-Heinz Florenz, Chair of the Environment
Committee in summing up the meeting.
This message was underlined by the two Commissioners
responsible for REACH, Enterprise Commissioner
Günter Verheugen and Environment Commissioner
Stavros Dimas.
"The efforts of Parliament to find imaginative
solutions for emerging practical difficulties
have my full support", said Verheugen.
Stavros Dimas, Environment Commissioner outlined
that; "REACH has been designed in extensive
consultation with stakeholders to strike a
careful balance between the need for protection
and workability for the companies involved".
No major changes foreseen
In response to questioning from the REACH
rapporteurs, Guido Sacconi, Lena Ek and Hartmut
Nassauer, EC Environment Director Jos Delbeke
assured the meeting that "The European
Commission has no intention of withdrawing
the proposal".
European Commission representatives explained
that they were taking account of impact studies
on the effects of REACH, (currently being
carried out by industry), so any changes based
on these could be looked at following the
first European Parliament reading.
Many speakers stressed that it was as important
to deliver health and environmental improvements
as to maintain European competitiveness.
"Solutions that are not ecological cannot
be economic", stressed Florenz.
Cost no longer as issue
All sides came down strongly in favour of
REACH. Industry insisted that cost was not
an issue anymore.
"The chemical manufacturers fully support
the aims and the logic of the REACH approach",
said Judith Hackitt, Director General, Business
and Responsible Care, Chemicals Industries
Association UK.in her presentation, "It
is an opportunity to demonstrate our genuine
commitment to responsible care and sustainable
development".
Retailers also support REACH as it is good
for business.
"Without chemicals there is no retail
sector", said Mike Barry of Marks and
Spencer. "We already know that the citizens
of the EU are deeply sceptical of the chemical
industry. We, and many other retailers are
strong supporters of the REACH system.
We believe the benefits … far outweigh the
costs. The growing risk of the loss of consumer
confidence in chemicals is not acceptable
for retailers, the chemical using or the chemical
manufacturing industry.
Charles Laroche from Unilever also thought
that REACH would help consumer confidence.
"We support REACH", he said. "REACH
is a good model for affective communication
and will help to restore consumer confidence".
Protecting the health of humans and wildlife
The chemical dangers to the health of people
and wildlife was a crucial concern for many
present.
Professor Belpomme, of Paris University described
how pollution had led to an explosion of health
problems for Europeans, it is now the biggest
cause of cancer in Europe, 15% of couples
are sterile and the cases of allergies has
doubled over the last 20 years.
He also stressed the importance of applying
the precautionary principle "When it
comes to what needs to be done for the health
of the people, we have to apply the precautionary
principle".
The European Trade Union speaker, Joel Decaillon
stressed that when one looked at the concerns
of the chemical companies, one also had to
take account of those who worked in the companies,
as one out of every three occupational diseases
in Europe could be ascribed to exposure to
hazardous chemicals.
Trade unions across Europe were supporting
the demand for a stronger REACH.
For MEP Matzakis health was certainly the
key issue. "It is more important to accept
a nail in the coffin of European competitiveness,
than in the coffin of thousands of European
citizens", he said.
The ‘Made in Europe’ brand
Commissioner Verheugen stressed that REACH
would help to revitalise EU efforts to make
European industry more competitive. It would
demonstrate that fundamental European policy
aims of improving the social, environmental
and economic situation were compatible.
He explained how the previous day he had
been at the launch of the new European airbus,
which customers were buying because of its
higher environmental standard.
"The Made in Europe" brand stands
for the highest ecological and social standards,"
he said.
This point was also underlined by Commissioner
Dimas, who hoped that REACH would provide
the incentive for new and safer substances
to a chemical industry that in the past had
lacked vision.
One substance, one registration (OSOR)
The proposition by the UK and Hungarian governments
of sharing the costs of obtaining safety information
on chemicals among the chemical producers
by having only one ‘registration’ for each
substance, was debated at length.
In general those at the meeting supported
OSOR, as it would help to bring down costs.
Gyorgy Mogyorosy, Hungarian Ministry for Economy
and Transport, who explained the rationale
behind the proposal estimated that this would
reduce the costs of REACH by up to 24%.
Alain Perroy from Cefic said that industry
globally was in favour of OSOR as they felt
it made sense, and would save time and costs.
Many foresaw that it would be particularly
advantageous for small and medium-sized enterprises,
some of which are likely to be negatively
affected by REACH.
Stefan Scheuer, from the European Environment
Bureau supported this as he said, "We
welcome improvements which can reduce costs
and increase compliance with REACH like mandatory
date sharing or non-animal test data".
Having an overall standard of excellence
Another issue that was raised was the need
to establish an overall standard of excellence
to protect against harmful chemicals. Some
present hoped that REACH could be a global
standard. MEP Lena Ek stressed the importance
of establishing an overall standard within
the EU for controlling chemicals and harmonising
the rules.
"REACH is really important", said
Ek in her summing up. "It will improve
the environment, living conditions and economic
growth. It will mean that we have to go through
a chemical shift, but this will result in
greater acceptance from consumers and give
us a stronger position on the global market".
Participants left the meeting feeling that
it was imperative for REACH to be passed,
with minor adjustments to make it workable.
As Karl-Heinz Florenz, the Chair of the Environment
Committee, put it, "We have a responsibility
towards our children to make this work".
