Objectives of the EU Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy REACH

4 Objectives of the EU Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy REACH 

On 13 February 2001 the European Commission adopted the much-discussed White Paper Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy (a. 10). The current EU chemical control measures were considered to result in too great a disparity between new and existing substances, with the high cost of new substance notification stifling innovation. Furthermore, although existing substances account for 99% by volume of chemicals in commerce, they were considered to be relatively poorly assessed and controlled in comparison with new substances. 

The main objective of the new EU Chemical Strategy is to ensure a high level of protection for human health and 

The European Commission published the first draft (a. 11) of the REACH legislation to implement the White Paper on 7 May 2003. There was an 8-week Internet consultation on the workability of this legislation from 16 May to 10 July 2003, and about 6,400 contributions were received. The final proposed Regulation (a. 12), which took account of the Internet consultation, was presented on 29 October 2003. These formal legislative proposals have to be discussed by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament under the Codecision Procedure. 

The European Chemicals Agency (ECA) will administer REACH. This new agency will be set up in Helsinki. 

---