Brussels, 02/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - In her opening address at the Conference presenting the White Paper on Chemical Products, in Brussels on 2 April, Margot Wallstrom, the European Commissioner for the environment, invited Member States, the European Parliament, industry, scientific circles and Europe's partners to provide input on the ideas set out in the paper presented in February (see EUROPE of 15 February 2001, p.8). Ms. Wallstrom stressed the importance of making the new system for authorising chemicals products as practical and competitive as possible without causing risks to human health and the environment. The Commissioner declared: "In am convinced that the new system outlined in the White Paper will contribute to sustainable development in the area of chemicals. It will foster a high level of protection both for human health and the environment, as well as innovation and competitiveness of the European chemical industry".