EU Approves of Important Chemical Law, page 1

The European Union has finally decided to pass a "landmark" law on chemicals after a 2 year debate. What the law entails is that companies must register all chemicals they produce or import. Also they must be granted authorization for all dangerous substances. The industries complain of heavy costs from the law, but the "greens" believe it does not go far enough. There should now be new research and tests that look at the health and environmental issues of chemicals used in household products.

news.bbc.co.uk
The law requires firms to register all chemicals they produce or import, and to get authorisation for the most dangerous substances. Industry says the law will impose heavy costs, but greens say it is too weak.

Because the ministers' version of the law differs from the text passed by the European Parliament last month, efforts to reconcile them will begin next year. In particular, ministers relaxed the conditions set by parliament for authorisation of the most dangerous chemicals.

While MEPs said companies should be forced to replace dangerous chemicals with safe ones, where an alternative exists, the ministers said simply they should be encouraged to do so.

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Well, it seems that progress is being made with the approval of this law. The chemical companies are not thrilled, but I'm sure they will still be making "some" (sarcasm) money. It seems that there was a reasonable compromise, however I'd still like to see stricter laws, with more research and tests. Hopefully the U.S. will now follow suit, maybe even going further than this law.

[edit on 18-12-2005 by asala]