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| Recent news on REACH |
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Whereas
activities around SCALE have calmed down at the EU
level somewhat, also due to the change in Commissioners,
activities around REACH are picking up again. In
respect to animal testing to be envisaged, the ecopa
Annual workshop with its discussions on SCALE and
the sign-in statement apparently had impact.
Following a REACH workshop midst of May, held in Luxembourg, the free Parliamentarian
Rapporteurs have confirmed their intention to follow the timetable leadin
to a first reading of the legislation by autumn this year.
The rapporteurs (Guido Sacconi, of the Environment Committee, Lena Ek from
the Industry Committee and Hartmut Nassauer from the Internal Market Committee)
presented the main elements of their reports, with particular emphasis
on improving workability and/or reducing the burden on SMEs, as well as
optimizing the balance between costs and benefits of the REACH proposal.
At the same time, the Luxembourg Presidency said it was of the opinion
that "sufficient information is now available from impact assessments to
allow the further consideration of complementary proposals to the Commission's" text.
The REACH workshop ran over two days and focused on the outcome of impact
assessment work and the workability of key processes in the legislation.
It was attended by key members of the Commission, Parliament, NGO's and
trade unions, but requests from overseas governments to participate were
rejected.
Chemical industry representative bodies have confirmed that the US and
South African governments had asked to have some involvement in the two-day
meeting, but the request was denied.
It is understood that requests from ten countries to attend were turned
down.
The European Parliament's Environment Committee is now considering 1,183
amendments to the European Commission's proposed rules for the Registration,
Evaluation, Authorisation and Restrictions of Chemicals.
The Committee has held several discussions this year on a report on REACH
compiled by MEP Guido Sacconi, although it has not yet adopted any amendments.
The Committee intends to hold a vote in September, prior to a full Parliamentary
vote in October. Mr. Sacconi and MEPs from other political groups are now
working on compromise amendments to simplify the vote. While MEPs agree
with REACH's aim to generate risk assessment data for chemicals, many recognise
the considerable cost impact that the new complex regulations may have
on regulators and industry.
REACH key dates:
July 12, 2005: Internal Market Committee
August 30, 2005: Industry Committee
September 15, 2005: Environment Committee
October 27, 2005: Parliament Plenary
More EU REACH information for professional users:
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has set up a website
giving information on proposed regulatory reforms for professional users
of chemicals. The site presents details on the proposed rules for the Registration,
Evaluation, Authorisation and Restrictions of Chemicals, which includes
substances such as agrochemical ntermediates and co-formulants.
In the ecopa newsletter ´messenger' and the FORUM section, you will find two new 6th FP projects with updating information
by now , i.e. 'sens-it-iv' and 'VINCAM' |
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