Archived press release

Eu commission delays chemical reform

7 May 2003

Friends of the Earth today attacked the European Commission's decision to delay major reform of EU chemicals legislation. As a result new regulations are unlikely to get through the first reading in the European Parliament before European elections in 2004.

The delay is a consequence of industry pressure to extend the internet consultation (which starts today) from five to eight weeks [1]. This could mean a delay of at least a year to the completion of the regulation. The regulations have already been four years in discussion - during which time there have been increasing concerns about the accumulation of industrial chemicals in humans and the environment.

Some 30,000 chemicals are currently used without adequate safety data on their environmental and health impacts. Consumers are exposed to chemicals from every day items such as electronic equipment, cosmetics, toys and textiles. In the UK, a number of leading retailers have expressed their concerns about inadequate controls.

The European Commission also failed to endorse the key principles of the regulation, presented by Commissioners Margot Wallstrom (Environment) and Erkki Liikanen (Trade).

Friends of the Earth and other environmental organisations welcomed the reforms outlined in a Commission White Paper in February 2001, which also received the support of the EU Parliament and Council. The reforms included an obligation on industry to provide safety data for chemicals sold, and a new authorisation system for phasing out or limiting exposure to the worst chemicals. But the Commission appears to have backed down on crucial components of the reform, including the obligation on industry to stop using the worst chemicals when safer alternatives are available, the principle of the public's right to know, and the requirement to provide proper protection from chemicals in imported products [2].

Friends of the Earth Safer Chemicals Campaigner, Mary Taylor, said:

"The Commission has caved in to industry lobbying. Today's delay increases the opportunities to weaken the new law, despite the continuing risks from exposure to hazardous chemicals. The Commission should be protecting consumers and speeding up the regulation of chemicals, not slowing it down."

Friends of the Earth Germany's Campaigner, Patricia Cameron, said:

"Consumers want safer chemicals and a chemical industry that invests in innovation. The Commission is failing European citizens."

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust