Commission lays plans to promote sustainable use of chemicals
The European Commission has adopted a White paper setting out strategies for a future Community policy for chemicals. The new strategy aims to ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment, while ensuring the internal market functions efficiently, and stimulates innovation and competitiveness in the chemicals industry. 'The paper also takes account of the need to increase transparency by improving access to information on chemicals and increasing the transparency of the decision making process,' says the Commission. Key elements of the new strategy include: - A single efficient and coherent regulatory framework which provides equivalent knowledge about the hazards of substances marketed before and after September 1981 ('existing' and 'new' substances) and their uses in order to provide coherence in the level of protection. - Reversal of responsibility from authorities to industry for testing and risk assessment of chemicals. - Promotion of innovation and competitiveness without compromising the high level of protection. - Introduction of a tailor made authorisation system where stringent control is ensured for the most dangerous substances. - Increased transparency and information about chemicals. 'This is one of the most important initiatives the Commission has taken in the context of sustainable development,' commented Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström. 'We have decided on a step-by-step approach to phase out and substitute the most dangerous substances: the ones that cause cancer, accumulate in our bodies and in our environment and affect out ability to reproduce. This decision is crucial for future generations.' Enterprise Commissioner Erkki Liikanen added: '[The] decision is crucial to get good and reliable information on the basis of which we can start analysing the many chemicals on the market on which we have no knowledge of their effects on the environment and our health. At the same time the decision is important to create a proper internal market for chemicals products and thus a level playing field for our industry. The scheme which we have agreed...will also help stimulating innovation and will provide industry a clear framework within which they can work on a competitive footing with other global players.' The Commission will now submit the White paper to the Council and European Parliament. Stakeholders will be invited to conferences in Brussels and in the Member States to hear explanations of its implication's and discuss the way forward.