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European Economic and Social Committee

PRESS RELEASE No 31/2004 / 5 March 2004

CONSTRUCTIVE ROLE PLAYED BY THE EESC SAYS COMMISSIONER LIIKANEN DISCUSSING COMMISSION'S PROPOSALS ON REGISTRATION, EVALUATION AND AUTHORISATION OF CHEMICALS (REACH)

Coming before the EESC section for environmental matters on 4th March European Commissioner Erkki Liikanen expressed appreciation for the Committee’s role in developing a new EU approach to current systems designed to control the level of chemicals in the environment via the REACH proposals (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals). The proposals, designed to simplify current systems on the use of chemicals within the environment would mean "moving away from the current situation of having to apply 40 legal acts" said Commissioner Liikanen. The key point was to deal with the issue of the exposure of the environment to chemicals, he continued.

In response to concern from several Members that the concerns of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) needed addressing to a greater extent he added that SMEs would have little to worry about given that REACH would initially be applicable to companies that had a high volume usage of chemicals. The cost impact on SMEs would therefore be limited.

Key Points from Erkki Liikanen's speech:

Many dangerous substances exist. The crucial point is to manage the risk they pose. This can be achieved with the right methods for risk identification and impact assessment. The process must be divorced from politics. If impact assessment is not kept separate from politics, it will not succeed;

SME fears about the proposals unfounded. SME's need not worry about application of REACH proposals. REACH will only initially deal with high volume chemicals in the first phase. SMEs, generally produce lower volume chemicals. They will have the time to adapt to the REACH system which will only come into effect for small and medium-sized enterprises in 12/13 years from now;

REACH is consistent with the balanced approach required by the EU's Sustainable Development policy; it balances competitiveness with investment in environmental protection.

Balanced involvement from stakeholders is essential and has been very constructive thus far. The internet consultation helped strengthen the proposed legislation and made it as "fault proof" as possible;

While EU proposals are made available with maximum transparency, this should also be the case of the US and Japan. The EU has taken full account of WTO and international implications. So must the US and Japan. Moreover, EU member states could make their policy development practices more transparent in a similar way.

There is a need to strengthen the proposed Chemicals Agency. Resources need to be available now so that it can start its work as soon as it has become fully operational in Helsinki;

The Agency will be a real tool to promote innovation,helping overcome mistrust among consumers for new innovative products.

Mr Paolo Braghin (Group I, Employers, Italy), Rapporteur for the forthcoming EESC Opinion on REACH welcomed Mr Liikanen's intention to inform the Committee and to continue the collaboration with stakeholders and the EESC especially in view of the ongoing consultation process being undertaken by the Commission. He indicated that downstream users have to be taken on board noting that small and medium-sized enterprises are often excluded from policy discussions. Their concerns needed to be fully taken account of in the REACH proposals. He also indicated that a mix of instruments needed to be developed to encourage innovation. This could not be left solely to the market. Finally, he sought assurances that REACH would be equally applicable to chemical producers from both within and outside the EU. "there is a need for a harmonized system that does not penalize EU producers vis-à-vis outsiders", he said.

The EESC is expected to adopt an Opinion on this subject during its next plenary session that begins on 31st March.

Copies of Mr Liikanen's speech are available from the EESC Press Office.

For more details, please contact :

Vasco de Oliveira or Tristan Macdonald, at the EESC Press Office.

Rue Ravenstein 2, B-1000; Bruxelles

Tel.: 02 546 9396/9586; Mobile: 0475 753 202

e-mail :

Website:

The European Economic and Social Committee represents the various economic and social components of organised civil society. It is an institutional consultative body established by the 1957 Treaty of Rome. Its consultative role enables its members, and hence the organisations they represent, to participate in the Community decision-making process. The Committee has 222 members. Its members are appointed by the Council.