Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats
The European Parliament's environment committee today, 10 October 2006, adopted its second reading report on the REACH Regulation, supporting the recommendations of its' Italian socialist rapporteur Guido Sacconi, by 42 votes to 12 with 6 abstentions.
REACH - Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals - is a major piece of legislation aimed at improving public information about chemicals produced in or imported into the European Union. The regulation also aims to phase out or restrict the use of highly toxic chemicals.
Said Mr Sacconi: "Producers and importers will be made responsible for analysing their chemicals and proving either that they are safe or that their use is necessary and strictly controlled. Dangerous products will be submitted to authorisation under strict conditions and the process should stimulate the development of safer alternatives to the most dangerous substances.
"The substitution principle is clearly the cornerstone of the whole legislation on chemicals. The European Parliament today strengthened the authorisation procedure to ensure that protecting public health and the environment are top of the criteria for granting or denying authorisation.
"Authorisations should be revised to encourage industry to develop safer alternatives to chemicals that threaten workers' and citizens' health. We all remember the asbestos drama and we do not want it again."
Mr Sacconi added: "It is now time to open negotiations with the Council to complete the legislative process while taking full account of the political signal delivered today by the Parliament."
Komodromos Dimitris - Mobile: 00 32 (0)474622884
dimitris.komodromos@europarl.europa.eu
Contact
REACH: Euro MPs vote for a safer environment and better public health. Said Mr Sacconi, PSE Group MEP: 'Producers and importers will be made responsible for analysing their chemicals and proving either that they are safe or that their use is necessary and strictly controlled.
Loading
