EU States, Parliament Nearing Compromise on Reach
28 November 2006 According to this proposal, more hazardous chemicals than so far planned would have to be replaced by harmless substances, even in cases where the companies are able to handle the substances in question safely. The chief reporter in the European Parliament, the socialist Guido Sacconi, in return will be willing to negotiate the strict five-year limit on the approval of hazardous substances, but instead to allow the decision to be made on a case-by-case basis.
The EU states had originally agreed to approve many substances that can be monitored and made exempt from compulsory substitution. The EU Ordinance on registration, evaluation and authorization covers around 30,000 chemicals and inert ingredients that have not previously been covered. They are to be tested for health and environmental risks and registered with a new agency. The EU Commission originally wanted to request comprehensive data records for this, which last year led to strong protests by the industry. The EU Ordinance affects not only the chemicals industry, but also industries that process chemicals.
Among the EU member states, there is a clear willingness to accept the compromise proposal. The time for a decision is pressing, because the Parliament must reach a decision on the law upon its second reading in mid-December. If the Parliament and the states do not agree on a common line, a mediation process must be started. Since the process is complicated and the outcome would be uncertain, both sides want to avoid this if at all possible.
Agrochemical industry insiders from chemical manufacturers and formulators to manufacturers of adjuvants and other ag-chem ingredients have criticized Reach for being overly burdensome, expensive, and extremely unclear.
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