Brussels, 20/02/2013 (Agence Europe) - Although the EU system for the safety of chemical products has proved itself in its five years of existence, the Council nevertheless wants a few improvements.
The Competitiveness Council of 19 February took note of the five year report on REACH that was presented by the European Commission on 5 February. The report takes stock of five years of implementation of the registration, evaluation, authorisation, and restriction of chemicals.
A large majority of ministers for industry shared the Commission's positive assessment, which concludes that the use of chemical products in the EU has become much safer after five years. On the one hand, REACH has made more information available on chemical substances that are on the market. On the other hand, better targeted risk management measures have enabled risks resulting from the registered substances to be significantly reduced. This is a trend which is on track to continue, with the sector permanently in search of substitution solutions for the most dangerous products.
While they welcome the balance found between the fulfilment of REACH objectives in terms of health protection and aspects relating to environmental protection, promotion of free circulation and competitiveness, the member states nevertheless consider that that some improvements are needed.
Many delegations particularly supported the idea of reducing administrative burdens for companies - especially SMEs - in the process of registering substances. This could also be accompanied by an improvement in the fee structure for registrations.
With regard to nanotechnology, some delegations believe that it is important to provide a clear basis for improving the risk management of nanomaterials, while considering that REACH should be the appropriate framework to ensure their safe use.
A few delegations also raised the issue of international competition, stressing the need to guarantee a level playing field with regard to the conditions applied in third countries.
Lastly, the Competitiveness Council welcomed the work initiated by the Commission to develop a roadmap with the national competent authorities and the European chemicals agency (ECHA). The purpose of the roadmap is to register all substances of very high concern on the list of candidate substances by 2020.
The discussion will be continued by the environment ministers at their meeting on 21 March. (EH/transl.fl)