30,000 chemicals reviewed

EU chemicals policy adopted after a long tug of war
The EU parliament on Wednesday adopted a controversial chemicals
directive REACH and thus paved the way for a better control of
hazardous substances.
Must be after the directive in June 2007, the first comprehensive
industry information on some 30,000 chemicals present, about its
impact on health is so far little is known. Manufacturers are also
encouraged to replace highly dangerous substances by alternative
substances.
Critique of consumer advocates
A requirement of immediate substitution of particularly hazardous
substances in the interest of the industry was omitted, which consumer
advocates and environmental groups have criticized sharply. This issue
was at the center of a months-long dispute between the parliament and
EU governments on the policy.

This looks apart from the general registration requirement for an
approval process for highly hazardous substances. It is to
carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic substances and harmful
substances that accumulate in the human body and are difficult to
degrade. The EU Commission estimates the number to around 1500.
Alternative substances
According to the text adopted on Wednesday allowed such chemicals are
only allowed when the risks of using 'adequately controlled' and let
no suitable alternatives available. Other hand, are "reasonable
alternatives available", it must be submitted a schedule by which the
dangerous substance is replaced by another.
The criticism of consumer advocates as well as the Greens in the
European Parliament was against the concept of "reasonable". They
argue companies will always find a reason why alternative substances
for they are not economically or technically viable. The Green MEP
Hiltrud Breyer described the compromise, therefore, passed on
Wednesday as "window dressing".
In contrast, the CDU deputy Karl-Heinz Florenz, the expectation would
be that simply because of the cost of the Authorization try many
manufacturers, hazardous substances expressed by safer substitute.
Would be added to the expected pressure of the public. For, according
to the Chemicals Directive manufacturers and retailers are obliged to
inform consumers on request from harmful ingredients in their
products.