EU parliament likely to approve Reach directive

12 December 2006 20:00  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS news)--Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) look set to approve the EU Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (Reach) legislation on Wednesday.

 

Liberal, socialist and centre-right MEPs, three-and-a-half years after the first draft was published, are expected to form a majority block in favour of Reach during a full plenary session in the European Parliament.

 

This would pave the way for the legislation to be in place by 1 June 2007.

 

Green and former communist MEPs have said they will vote against the compromise text agreed at the beginning of December between the parliament, Europe's Council of Ministers and the Finnish presidency.

 

The final bill is more 'industry-friendly' than previous drafts and green MEPs believe it is not strong enough to protect consumers and chemical workers from substances of 'high concern'.

 

However, it is almost certain that they will fail to muster the absolute majority of MEPs (367 votes) that would be needed to further delay the approval of Reach.

By: Philippa Jones
+44 20 8652 3214

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly