MEPs adopt first reading position on REACH
21/11/2005
According to a press release published by the European Parliament, MEPs struck a balance between health, the environment and industry” when they discussed the REACH programme at their plenary session held on November 17. MEPs reached their first reading position on the REACH package when the House approved a legislative package that is said to considerably benefit the environment and public health as well as taking the interests of industry into account.
Parliament's president Josep Borrell said, "The European Parliament has shown that it lives up to its responsibilities and, as legislator, has responded to some of the fears of the Europeans, ensuring competitive jobs together with a high level of protection of health and the environment."
The main elements of the position of the European Parliament on REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals), adopted by 398 votes in favour, 148 against and 36 abstentions (the actual vote on the report was 407 in favour, 155 against with 41 abstentions), are the following:
- The introduction of a targeted approach on data requirements for 1-10 tonnes chemicals (those having been identified by the impact assessment studies as being the ones for which costs of REACH implementation would be higher)
- To maintain, in all cases, the responsibility on industry to make available information on the hazards, risks, and risk reduction measures for chemicals.
- The application of the above targeted approach only to existing substances; new substances continue to provide full safety data. Substances of high concern and substances dangerous to human health or environment which are used in consumer products also have to provide full sets of safety data.
- The introduction of the possibility of making additional tests, if this appears necessary.
- The introduction of the possibility of omitting certain tests ("waiving") for the substances produced/imported between 10-100 tonnes when this is justified on the basis of certain criteria (to be fixed by the Commission in comitology).
- The introduction of the "One Substance, One Registration" (OSOR) approach to minimise costs, with an opt-out in specific conditions where it can be justified.
The European Parliament endorsed the approach of the Environment Committee over the consideration of available substitutes, innovation through time-limited authorisations (5 years), and certainty through a list of the most hazardous substances.
The Parliament endorsed a slightly revised version of the approach adopted on this issue by the Environment Committee concerning the equal treatment of imported articles to those produced in the EU, through simple notification requirements for articles containing substances listed as being of very high concern, and by equal application of authorisation.
For SMEs, the Parliament endorsed the approach of the Environment Committee (supported also by Internal Market and Industry Committees) seeking at providing helpdesks and additional guidance and tools to meet the obligations of the regulation.
The Council, under the UK Presidency has indicated that it aims to achieve a common position by the end of the year.
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