News

29th October 2003

Compromise Chemical Plans Unveiled

The European Commission today released its adapted plans for a new European chemicals policy. The legislation has been scaled down from the original proposals, but will still cost the industry billions of pounds over the next decade.

1.7 million people are currently employed in the chemical industry in Europe. If adopted, these proposals could lead to job losses and imports of finished goods containing untested chemicals from outside the EU. The testing of these chemicals will also lead to the suffering of up to 10 million laboratory animals.

Robert Goodwill MEP, Conservative Spokesman on the Environment in the European Parliament, said:

"Some of the world's leading chemical companies may be forced out of Europe unless the Commission radically re-thinks these proposals. Chemical firms are already looking at third countries to relocate to - Europe must ensure it remains a valid international competitor.

It appears the Commission has listened to the concerns of the industry and watered down its original proposals, but it has not gone far enough. Public health must be protected, public confidence retained and unnecessary animal suffering avoided. As they stand, these proposals could lead to bureaucracy rather than additional protection."

John Bowis MEP, Conservative Spokesman on Health and Consumer Affairs in the European Parliament, said:

"The Commission should be prioritising testing to focus on those chemicals that could be hazardous to human health. The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution has suggested just such a common sense approach that balances the need to protect public health and minimise bureaucracy."