EU backs REACH chemicals law

EU competitive ministers have agreed on controversial new laws designed to protect the public from toxic chemicals.

Ministers accepted a compromise deal on Tuesday put together by the UK presidency in response to proposals agreed by the European Parliament in November.

REACH stands for the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals.

The draft chemicals legislation has been at the centre of a long and bitter political debate as environmental, industry and national concerns have fought to either water down or strengthen the legislation’s effects.

The chemicals industry and many SMEs have opposed REACH on cost and competitiveness grounds, while green groups believe the proposals do not go far enough in protecting human health.

Finding political agreement among the 25 member states on REACH will be seen as a feather in the cap of the UK EU presidency.

The German government, under new Chancellor Angela Merkel, had earlier pressured the UK for concessions and delays on REACH.

“I think we can congratulate ourselves on a job well done,” said the UK’s industry minister and chair of Tuesday’s meeting, Lord Sainsbury.

Commission vice-president and EU industry chief Günter Verheugen said the agreement was a “reasonable compromise”.

“We have succeeded in making REACH more effective and more workable,” said Verheugen.

“And we have succeeded in maintaining the competitiveness of EU industry and - a crucial point - reducing the burden for small and medium-sized companies.”

Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said the deal would lead to healthier lives and a safer environment.

“[REACH] encourages innovation and give a strong incentive to industry to replace dangerous chemicals with safer ones,” said Dimas.

The European Parliament’s November proposals backed tough new rules limiting the time dangerous chemicals can be authorised and introduced mandatory substitution for the most toxic.

Tuesday’s deal by EU government ministers, however, rejects mandatory substitution, setting the scene for a titanic clash with MEPs, most likely during the Finnish EU presidency towards the end of 2006.

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