english.prescrire.org > Spotlight > Archives : 2006 > Control of chemical substances: the EU's "REACH" regulation

Spotlight: Archives

Every month, the subjects in Prescrire’s Spotlight.

2006 : 1 | 30 | 60

Control of chemical substances:
the EU's "REACH" regulation

In 2006, Europe will have to strike a balance between the chemicals industry and public health.

In October 2003 The European Commission published the proposed REACH regulation stipulating that all chemical substances manufactured or imported in quantities of more than one tonne per annum must be registered with the future European Chemicals Agency in order to be sold in the European Union.

Registration, followed by a health risk evaluation (at the manufacturer's expense) and an authorisation carrying a time limit where appropriate, should begin with the most hazardous chemicals (CMRs – carcinogens, mutagens and reproductive toxins) and substances produced in quantities of over 1000 tonnes per annum.

Supported by many environmental protection agencies, the proposed REACH regulation has been the subject of fierce debate and intense lobbying on the part of the chemicals industry, with the French and German governments at the forefront.

The bill adopted on its first reading by the European Parliament retained the essential aspects of the proposal; but afterwards governments virtually quashed an important provision which stipulated that if less hazardous substitute products existed, these should be used instead.

The ball is back in the court of the European Parliament, for the bill's second reading. MEPs and the government ought to agree on the compromise that is most favourable to public health and the environment, and to remember all the lessons learned from past disasters, such as the asbestos scandal.

©Prescrire March 2006

Source: "La proposition REACH, pour un meilleur contrôle des substances chimiques commercialisées dans l'Union européenne" Rev Prescrire 2006 ; 26 (270) : 218-224.

- More articles in Prescrire's "Spotlight"...