Chemsec REACH work
The International Chemical Secretariat is a non-profit organisation dedicated to working towards a toxic free environment. In order to achieve this, the Secretariat promotes the implementation of precautionary perspectives into international chemicals policies and practices. Since REACH, the new EU regulation is under development this is the primary area of our attention presently. We work to strengthen the precautionary approach in REACH, and counteract attempts to weaken the proposed regulation.
REACH has been criticised by the chemical industry - which has succeeded in portraying themselves as representatives of all industries that produce and use chemicals. Politicians and civil servants have been affected by this lobbying campaign and have consequently taken measures to relieve what they believe is an unacceptable burden that REACH would put on industry.
However, during our work we have realized that companies using chemicals and companies who have the closest contact with consumers have different opinions regarding chemical legislation than the chemical producers. Companies that are dependent on chemicals for their articles are convinced that they cannot afford not to have such information. In addition, these companies are the ones who will take the blame and pick up the bill when something goes wrong. Companies and businesses that could ultimately suffer the financial consequences of inadequate information about chemicals have so far received little attention in the debate. Chemsec has therefore worked closely together with progressive users of chemicals.
In connection with our work with business we have organized meetings with progressive companies e.g. at the European Parliament in Sep 2006. Representatives of multinational companies active in different sectors on the global market participated and expressed their need for increased information in the supply chain and a mechanism for the phasing out of the most hazardous substances. In May 2005 ChemSec released the publication “Surviving REACH”. The report was written for users of chemicals and describes benefits with REACH and discuss fears about REACH that users of chemicals have expressed. Obligations and rights users will have under REACH are also explained. Catherine Day, former General Director of DG Environment nowadays Secretary General of the Commission said that the report is one of the best publications she has seen on this issue.
Another report “What we want from REACH”was released at a reception in the European Parliament in January 2005. In the publication several companies and stakeholder organizations have described their motives for demanding stronger chemical legislation.
Together with a research team with members from US, France and South Africa, ChemSec conducted a study on the impacts of REACH on African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries (ACP). The study was commissioned by the European Parliament. The conclusion of the study was that REACH, is not likely to cause any substantial problems to economies in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.
In addition we inform stakeholders and decision makers about REACH and the benefits a strict legislation can deliver both for business and for the public health and the environment. To facilitate the reading and encourage participation in the REACH debate Chemsec has printed both law proposal and the Council Common Position as a pocket book.
Many NGOs are interested in toxics and REACH, but find the issue quite complicated and that they lack knowledge to work actively. To encourage involvement, ChemSec has produced materials, e g fact sheets on the economic facts about REACH and Q&A:s to the REACH system. We try to translate our reports into key languages and encourage other NGOs to translate our material.
For more information, contact Nardono Nimpuno
Downloads
Download the REACH text (pdf, 1,7 MB)
Facts and controversial issues 2006 (ppt, 1,26MB)
Report:
Implications of
REACH for developing countries
(pdf, 1MB)
Les implications de REACH pour
les pays en développement
(pdf, 1,4MB)