Brussels, 06/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - By adopting the opinion of Italian entrepreneur, Paolo Braghin, on the Commission's proposals for EU legislation on chemicals (REACH) at its plenary session at the end of May, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has confirmed its support for REACH. Presenting his opinion, Mr Braghin spoke of reinforcing the role of the new European agency on chemical products, which will be based in Helsinki, and stressed the need to make sure that chemicals from third countries are subject to the same rigorous standards as those produced in Europe.
In this opinion, the EESC is asking: "the EU to make sure that this appreciable legislative step forward does not compromise industry growth and make the employment issue worse;" for the tasks of the future European chemicals agency to be extended and reinforced "so that it becomes the pillar of the new system, in close and constructive co-operation with competent national agencies"; to draw up an assistance plan for SMEs and downstream users, to facilitate implementation of the REACH system (see EUROPE of 4 March, p.17).