If a chemical threatens health or the environment, shouldn't it just be replaced by safer alternatives? Or should regulators try to calculate a 'cost' for this harm to health or the environment (e.g. the cost of someone getting breast cancer), and then compare this with any costs involved in replacing the chemical? You may think it strange, but this is what often really happens … [Read more...] about Regulating chemicals: is putting a price on health impacts unrealistic and misleading?
Authorisation
Why has the European Commission’s review of REACH rules for controlling hormone disrupting chemicals been watered down?
It is clear that some very powerful forces within the European Commission are working to undermine effective regulation of hormone (endocrine) disrupting chemicals (EDCs). On 20th December 2016, buried in the pre-Christmas wind-down, the Commission released its review of how EDCs should be treated by the authorisation process in the EU's main REACH chemicals legislation. The … [Read more...] about Why has the European Commission’s review of REACH rules for controlling hormone disrupting chemicals been watered down?
Fit for what? CHEM Trust’s views on the current evaluation of the EU’s main chemicals law REACH
The EU’s REACH chemicals law aims to ensure that chemicals are safely manufactured and used, so as to protect human health and the environment, at the same time as enhancing innovation and the competitiveness of EU industry. REACH includes requirements on companies to provide – and use – safety information on chemicals, and provides mechanisms to ban or control the use of … [Read more...] about Fit for what? CHEM Trust’s views on the current evaluation of the EU’s main chemicals law REACH
New report shows UK not pulling its weight in identifying worst chemicals
A new report, published today by the European Environment Bureau (EEB), argues that unless the EU chemicals regulation REACH "is better enforced, it will never achieve its aim of removing harmful chemicals from the market". EEB and CHEM Trust are particularly concerned about the way the 'Authorisation' system is working, which is supposed to result in the worst chemicals being … [Read more...] about New report shows UK not pulling its weight in identifying worst chemicals
Simplification proposals for EU chemicals law REACH could increase chemical risks (updated with letter to Commissioner)
One of the main objectives of the EU’s REACH chemical regulation system is to provide a high level of protection for people and the environment. A key part of this system is the authorisation process, which incentivises companies that are using the most problematic chemicals to move to safer alternatives. The European Commission have just been consulting on two ways in which … [Read more...] about Simplification proposals for EU chemicals law REACH could increase chemical risks (updated with letter to Commissioner)