13 December 2005
Council of Ministers reach deal on REACH
On December 13th 2005, the Council arrived at an agreement on REACH. The Member States accepted a compromise proposal suggested by the UK Presidency.
Contrasting to the Parliament vote, the Council maintained that evidence of “adequate control” in itself should be sufficient ground for granting authorisation (regardless if safer alternatives are available) for carcinogenic, mutagenic and reproduction toxic (CMRs) and hormone-disrupting (EDCs) substances with thresholds.
Read more about the Council agreement
17 November 2005
European Parliament votes a mixed result on REACH
On 17 November 2005 the European Parliament voted in Strasbourg on the Commission proposal for a new EU Chemicals policy, ‘REACH’. To a large extent, the Parliament supported the Italian Member of Parliament Guido Sacconi, the Rapporteur for the lead committee, in the compromises he brokered with the main parties.
In an important step forward for European chemicals policy, the Parliament supported substitution of the most hazardous chemicals. However, in a big step backwards from the proposed legislation, the main compromise involved exempting many thousands of chemicals from many tests on human health and environmental safety which had been originally envisioned in the Commission proposal.
Summary of the Parliament vote
More in depth analysis (pdf, 130kB)
14 November 2005
Moscow seminar: Chemsec and NGOs discuss how Russian legislation can harmonize with REACH.
Environmental Group Eco-Accord, Moscow, in cooperation and with financial support from Chemsec, The International POPs Elimination Project (IPEP) and the European Eco-Forum held a seminar in Moscow on 13-14 November, to discuss health and environmental impact of toxic chemicals: chemical management policies of Russia and EU countries". This was the first multisectoral and multistakeholder seminar on the subject in the Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia region (EECCA). The workshop focused on opportunities to harmonise national chemical management legislations of the EECCA countries with REACH.
November 8, 2005
2 million physicians call for a strong REACH
The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME), representing all medical doctors in the EU - approximately 2 million physicians - has united with The Association for Research and Treatments Against Cancer (ARTAC) in a call for a strict chemical legislation to protect human health. Read press release (doc, 540kB)
8 November 2005
EUREAU: REACH needed to fulfill EU requirements for drinking water
EUREAU, the providers of water and waste water to more than 450 million European citizens, states that a strong chemical legislation is necessary to fulfil the quality requirements for drinking water. EUREAU claims that REACH amendments suggested by the IMCO and ITRE Committees of the European Parliament threaten the development of a sustainable drinking water production and waste water treatment in Europe. Read press release (pdf, 29kB)
4 November 2005
Germany requests REACH decision to be delayed
The German government requested on Friday 4 November a postponement of decisions on REACH in the Council of Ministers. Political agreement had been expected at the November Competitiveness Council (28/29 November). Read more
October 18, 2005
EP Seminar: Science and Politics -
Where does REACH stand?
This Chemsec seminar in European Parliament presented views from prominent scientists on testing requirements in the run up to the vote on REACH in the plenary.
17 October 2005
ETUC: REACH to deliver 3.5 billion euros savings over 10 years
The findings of an eagerly-awaited study on the benefits of REACH for workers' health were unveiled by ETUC (The European Trade Union Confederation) in the European Parliament on October 17. The study, done by the University of Sheffield, shows that REACH would help avoid 50,000 cases of occupational respiratory diseases and 40,000 cases of occupational skin diseases from exposure to dangerous chemicals in Europe each year. The ETUC website
April 27, 2005
Industry report states: Impacts of REACH limited
A new study has been presented by consulting group KPMG for and on behalf of the industry consortium comprising Cefic, UNICE, and the sector federations of the downstream industries which are being examined. Important findings of the KPMG study include the following:
- Registration requirements for low-volume chemicals will not lead to withdrawal from the market.
- REACH will have limited impacts on the profitability of downstream users.
- In general, companies do not expect to lose market share due to REACH.
- Companies are unlikely to leave the EU to avoid complying with REACH.
More info from EEB and WWF (pdf)
April 19, 2005
Construction industry wants REACH strengthened
The European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC) has presented a position paper strongly supporting REACH - but also asking for some important improvements. The construction sector - employing 26 million workers mostly in small sized companies within EU - is a major downstream user of chemicals and chemical-containing articles. FIEC asks for stronger rules to make sure that hazardous substances are substituted. Downstream users should be granted access to information on chemical content of articles they use.
FIEC
position paper (pdf)
FIEC Homepage
Jan 18, 2005
Business for stronger REACH
— new
report from Chemsec
The International Chemical Secretariat (Chemsec) presents "What we need from REACH" - a new publication where companies and organisations argue for a stronger European chemical legislation. The release takes place at the European Parliament at a reception hosted by MEP Lena Ek, Rapporteur on REACH for the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. Present at the release are also some of the companies and organisations that contributed to the publication.
Pressrelease, Download the report: What we need from REACH (pdf)
Jan 17, 2005
European medical doctors for strong REACH
The Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME) organizing national medical organisations in the EU countries) has sent a letter to all Members of the European Parliament. In the letter, CPME welcomes the REACH initiative and calls on political representatives to ensure a strong chemicals policy that will protect children and future generations' well-being and health.
Download CPME letter (doc)