| Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) consists of an European Union regulation [1] (http://europa.eu.int/prelex/detail_dossier_real.cfm?CL=en&DosId=186450) and an European Union directive [2] (http://europa.eu.int/prelex/detail_dossier_real.cfm?CL=en&DosId=186451) which is
neccesary to amend a directive of the Council
of the European Union.
Both procedures follow the Codecision procedure and are
being decided as one legislative. The next official legislative step is the 1st reading in the European Parliament which is planned for autnum 2005.
In contrast to the United States' Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which was
passed in 1979 and was not retroactive, it would follow the "precautionary principle" and would make an active effort to
determine the environmental safety of chemicals already in common use.
The issue is more a issue of Health than of Environment since it is aimed at the use and handling of substances which may be toxic to humans.
For example, the issue of using toxical substances in electronic devices has two implications: Firstly, toxical substances can
leave the device during consumer use thru the air and secondly, toxical substances
can end up in the Environment where they might not do harm to humans
directly, but for example thru the contamination of the baltic sea with
chemicals, these chemicals enter the food chain thru fish e.g. accumulate (Bioaccumulation) in the human body over centuries, reaching dangerous concetrations. This is not a
theoretical idea but happens with toxic substances which can be dangerous to babies in pregnant woman today.
See also: Environmental health, Quality of life, Chemistry,
Consumer protection, Foodborne illness, Poison, Lead poisoning Mineral wool, Carcinogen
Reference
- Schapiro, Mark, "New Power for 'Old Europe'". The Nation, December
27, 2004, 11-16.
External links
Commission:
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