20th December 2006

Last week the E.U. parliament passed the REACH legislation (Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals) that requires about 30,000 chemicals to be registered with a new agency.

Since this legislation was first proposed in 1998, The Citizen has reported campaigners efforts to ensure the deal will afford sufficient protection from dangerous chemicals. Sadly a last-ditch agreement has, in the words of Green MEP Caroline Lucas, provided "an early Christmas present for the chemicals industry, rewarding it for its intense and underhand lobbying campaign."

Worse still, the UK Government lent it's support to the last minute hijack by the powerful chemicals industry. It will be consumers who will pay the ultimate price.

Rules have been ditched that would have forced chemicals manufacturers to abandon production of the most dangerous chemicals used in everyday products in favour of safer alternatives. Many chemicals of high concern will continue to be used in everyday items like cleaning products and carpets, even where safer alternatives exist.

Furthermore the agency charged with implementing the regulations will be a secret body. It's members will be anonymous and not required to declare financial interests or dealings with the chemicals industry. This lack of transparency and democracy risks undermining the entire process.

Cllr. Philip Booth, Stroud District Green Party.