On 29 October 2003, the European Commission proposed a new EU regulatory framework for the registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals. This directive has been extensively discussed at European Parliament level, both in the committee for environment, public health and food safety of which I form part, and also in plenary sessions in Strasbourg. This regulatory framework, also known by the acronym of REACH, aims to improve the protection of human health and also the environment.

This year, on 27 June, the Environment Council formally adopted the common position. The two most important aims are to improve protection of human health and the environment from the risks of chemicals while enhancing the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry.

In the White Paper on the Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy, published in February 2001 (COM (2001) 88), the commission outlined the result of a review of the current system and its new strategy for ensuring a high level of chemicals safety and a competitive chemicals industry through a system for the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals – the REACH system.

REACH is based on the idea that the industry itself is best placed to ensure that the chemicals it manufactures and puts on the market in the EU do not adversely affect human health or the environment. This requires that the industry has certain knowledge of the properties of its substances and manages potential risks. Authorities should focus their resources on ensuring the industry meets its obligations and taking action on matters of very high concern or where there is a need for community action.

The aim is to create a single system for both what are currently described as “existing” and “new” substances; substances are now described as non-phase-in substances (i.e. those not produced or marketed prior to the entry into force of REACH) and phase-in substances (those substances listed in the EINECS, or those that have been manufactured in the Community, but not placed on the Community market, in the last 15 years or the so-called “no longer polymers” of Directive 67/548).

The benefits, positive occupational impact and public health impact of REACH is expected in the short and long term as chemicals are linked to respiratory and bladder cancers, skin disorders, respiratory diseases, eye disorders, asthma, etc. Increased information on hazards and controls will help better implementation of existing legislation.

Authorisation of substances of very high concern and speedier restrictions will also assist the positive occupational and public health and the positive environmental impact of REACH. The public health benefits of the extended impact assessment of the commission proposal were based on World Bank estimates and a number of prudent assumptions.

Diseases caused by chemicals were assumed to account for some one per cent of the overall burden of all types of disease in the EU. Assuming a 10 per cent reduction in these diseases as a result of REACH would result in a 0.1 per cent reduction in the overall burden of disease in the EU. This would be equivalent to around 4,500 deaths due to cancer being avoided every year.

On the basis of a e1 million value of life, the potential health benefits of REACH were then estimated to be roughly e50 billion over a 30-year period.

A recent study commissioned by DG Environment looked into the benefits of REACH derived from the fact that current chemical releases to the environment and exposure of humans via the environment can be reduced. Through a number of cases using different appraisal methods, the study further illustrated that the long-term benefits of REACH would be significant.

However, due to the limited number of cases and a general lack of data, it was not possible to provide a comprehensive quantitative assessment of the overall impacts on the environment. Much of the information needed will only become available after the chemicals on the market today have been registered.

All in all, REACH will contribute to reducing pollution of air, water and soil as well as to reducing pressure on biodiversity. Improved control of persistent bio-accumulative and toxic substances is needed to ensure these substances are prevented from polluting the environment, as once there, they are very difficult to remove. In addition, REACH will help to reduce the effects from endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

To reach this stage, the committee on the environment, public health and food safety worked hard to guarantee the best out of the document to the community. We believe that an agreement will guarantee a healthier environment.

David Casa is a Nationalist MEP