The European Commission continues to refute the existence of any conflict of interest at the Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits (SCOEL).
In addition to its position published in one of our previous issues (see EUROPE 11733), it asserted that it had introduced “mitigation measures” to prevent any of its 22 Committee members from exerting any influence regarding professional exposure to chemical products to the benefit of the chemical industry. Commissioner Marianne Thyssen’s press service explained, “members who are involved in certain industrial branches will not be able to take part in the discussions regarding specific substances, for example, and will only be able to take part in working parties discussing horizontal subjects”.
In response to our request, the Commission explained to us that one expert had not been allowed to take part in the discussions on chromates due to an evaluation they had made in the past on the industry’s chemical safety.
Another expert had not been allowed to take part in the discussions on diesel engine gas exhausts and rubber dust and fumes due to the research funding they had been awarded by the chemical industry and that this expert had declare this interest.
A third example involves the nonparticipation of certain experts in the discussions on N-methyl pyrrolidone.
It should be pointed out that European trade unions are expected to discuss the subject with the Commission at the end of March. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)