Greenpeace installs giant test tube at EU chemical industry meeting
| "People and wildlife across the globe, even the unborn, are contaminated with a cocktail of man-made chemicals which build up in the body and/or persist in the environment. This is unacceptable. Such chemicals must be phased out - whether or not they are currently known to be toxic. EU legislation currently being drafted presents an unprecedented opportunity for European Governments to protect us and our children from further contamination. This opportunity must not be wasted. We urge the UK Government and MEPs, with other EU Member States, to put in place without delay new European legislation that eliminates the production, use and marketing of chemicals that build up in the body and/or persist in the environment." |
Joint statement: The National Federation of Women's Institutes, Baby Milk Action, Women's Environmental Network, WWF, Greenpeace, National Childbirth Trust, Friends of the Earth, UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, International Society of Doctors for the Environment, European Public Health Alliance (EPHA), BEUC, the European Consumers' Organisation and the London Hazards Centre.
In 2001 the European commission produced proposals for a new system of Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH). These proposals should bring an end to the current inadequate system of chemical regulation in Europe. Download more information from our guide A Beginner's Guide to REACH (PDF)
Intrinsic to the original proposals was the suggestion of a method of mandatory substitution for chemical companies, so that hazardous Chemicals of Very High Concern (chemicals that can cause cancer, damage genetic material, interfere with the body's hormone system or is a reproductive toxin) should not be used when a safer, viable alternative is available. This principle, if it was adopted, would mean that the chemical industry would undergo a continuous process of hazard reduction, creating a less toxic, safer world.
However, the European chemical industry, concerned about a possible short-term drop in profits, has been successfully lobbying to have the principle of mandatory substitution removed from the legislation.
The latest announcement following debate on the legislation amongst EU Commissioners, reveals that the EU has indeed bowed to the interests of the chemical industry, instead of addressing public health and environmental concerns.
This means REACH has been diluted and is riddled with loopholes.
The main loophole means that even if a safer alternative is available, at a comparable price, production of a 'Chemical of Very High Concern' can continue as long as the producer can demonstrate 'adequate control'.
However, the idea of 'adequate control' is a complete anomaly because there is no way to effectively control these hazardous substances.
Our studies into housedust and the way in which Chemicals of Very High Concern impact the human body show that these chemicals are escaping into our environment, accumulating in our bodies and damaging our health.
REACH presents us with a unique opportunity to create a cleaner, safer planet, and protect our bodies from avoidable contamination. It has been weakened, but we will continue to campaign to turn this around.
Act now
Later this month the European Parliament will be voting on REACH. Click here to send an email to your MEP and urge them to take a strong position on this crucial legislation.
See our in depth report into the substitution principle.
