BCTDA says 'time running out' for EU chem policy changes

25 November 2002 18:06  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (CNI)--The British Chemical Distributors and Traders Association (BCDTA) said that time is running out to stop blanket adoption of the European Union’s (EU) proposed new policy for chemicals. It has also accused the EU of "legislative over-reach".

"In a few months time it will be too late," warned the BCDTA’s white paper task force chairman Melvyn Whyte in a statement released on Monday. "We must secure changes to the white paper because of the threat it poses for thousands of European businesses."

Whyte was speaking at an extraordinary general meeting held by the Federation of European Chemical Associations (FECC) at Limelette, Belgium last week.

He called on individual companies and national associations to "maintain the pressure to make the EU’s proposals affordable and workable".

Whyte said industry objects to the reduction in number of chemical products which the proposed testing and registration regime would bring about. The BCTDA said the EU's own research confirms that  there will be a 17% reduction in the number of chemicals on the market - worth Euro46bn ($46bn). He also complained about the additional 50 000 intermediates and thousands of polymers which have been added to the EU’s 30 000 list of chemicals to be tested.

By: Glenda Thisdell
+44 20 8652 3214

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