This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/6710527.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| New EU chemical law takes effect | New EU chemical law takes effect |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Legislation requiring the safety testing of tens of thousands of chemicals - many in everyday use - has come into effect across the EU. | Legislation requiring the safety testing of tens of thousands of chemicals - many in everyday use - has come into effect across the EU. |
| For the first time, it will be up to industry, rather than the regulatory authorities, to prove that chemicals are safe. | For the first time, it will be up to industry, rather than the regulatory authorities, to prove that chemicals are safe. |
| But environmental and consumer groups say the new rules do not go far enough. | |
| About 30,000 chemicals are covered by the new rules - from paints to flame retardants to fragrances in shampoos. | |
| Safety data will be required for all of them. | Safety data will be required for all of them. |
| The most hazardous - chemicals which can cause cancer or changes in genetic material - will have to undergo further testing. | The most hazardous - chemicals which can cause cancer or changes in genetic material - will have to undergo further testing. |
| If there is a safer alternative, producers will have to substitute it, unless there is a strong case for continuing to use the existing chemical. | If there is a safer alternative, producers will have to substitute it, unless there is a strong case for continuing to use the existing chemical. |
| But environmental campaigners say the new rules, known as REACH, leave too many loopholes. | But environmental campaigners say the new rules, known as REACH, leave too many loopholes. |
| Shared cost | Shared cost |
| The new requirements will be phased in between now and 2018. | The new requirements will be phased in between now and 2018. |
| The most hazardous chemicals will have to be registered first, along with those used in the largest quantities. | The most hazardous chemicals will have to be registered first, along with those used in the largest quantities. |
| Producers are already working together to share the cost of testing, which the European Commission reckons at up to 10bn euros (£7bn) spread over 11 years. | Producers are already working together to share the cost of testing, which the European Commission reckons at up to 10bn euros (£7bn) spread over 11 years. |
| But it says that is offset by the benefits to health and the environment: 97bn euros (£66bn) saved in health costs over the next three decades. | But it says that is offset by the benefits to health and the environment: 97bn euros (£66bn) saved in health costs over the next three decades. |