EEB demands immediate proposals for EU chemicals reform

27 September 2002 15:24  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (CNI)--The European Environment Bureau (EEB) on Friday called for the immediate submission of proposals for European Union (EU) chemicals legislation at its international conference on chemicals regulations.

EEB secretary general John Hontelez demanded immediate legislative proposals that are clear in their objectives, that put the precautionary principal in place, shift the burden of proof on the industry and are robust and adjustable rather than 100% perfect in their details.

The international conference "European Chemicals Policy Reform - from paralysis to action" in Copenhagen, Denmark combined EU politicians and officials, consumer and industry representatives, and environmental organisations to discuss the regulation of chemicals.

Delegates hope to prompt the European Union (EU) to rejuvenate action to reform EU chemicals regulations, following the European Commission’s (EC) second failure to meet its own deadline (summer 2002) for a legislative proposals on the white paper reforms.

The EEB is concerned that further delays will harm the current political momentum of support from all EU institutions.

Danish Ecological Council director Christian Ege said: "We can no longer accept that that it takes several years to identify and regulate one single hazardous substance."

He added: "If this approach is not changed, then we will have to wait decades for hazardous substances to be regulated."

Director of the Danish Society for the Conservation of Nature Gunver Bennekou commented: "At risk here is saving people’s lives and preventing damage to our children’s development and to biodiversity and the environment."

The EEB federation of 133 environment organisations chemicals campaign was created in June 1998 to contribute to and influence chemicals policy reform.

By: Joanna Kesteven
+44 208 652 3214

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