ESC opinion: Control of the environmental risks of existing substances
At its 284th plenary session of 27 February 1991, the Economic and Social Committee unanimously adopted an Opinion regarding a proposal for a Council Regulation (OJ No C 276, 5.11.1990) on the evaluation and the control of the environmental risks of existing substances. The proposal establishes procedures for standardized, Community-level compilation of data on some 100,000 chemical substances plus evaluation and control of environmental and health risks. The ESC reiterates the importance of measures ensuring full, reliable information-flow plus effective checks so that risks can be accurately evaluated. It notes with concern that five Member States have no legislation in this field and recommends that the Commission aids their implementation of the measure. Further comment relates to: Data compilation by the national authorities; work carried out by WHO, UNEP, IPCS; cooperation with the OECD; reasonable time limits for data compilation; high-risk substances; coordination with industrial associations; commercial impact.