REACH decision is ‘betrayal’ - WWF

Conservation group WWF has condemned a decision by EU ministers to reject what it sees as a crucial priniciple of the REACH chemicals legislation, calling the move a ‘betrayal’.

The condition to substitute hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives where possible, adopted by the European Parliament in November, was rejected this week as ministers arrived at a political agreement prior to next year’s expected finalisation of the legislation.

"This failure has been driven by the German government's protectionist policy toward its chemicals industry, and though other governments - including Britain's - lobbied hard in the last few weeks for genuine environmental concessions, these were sadly not achieved. We hope the damage can be undone before REACH becomes law," said Colin Butfield, Head of the WWF-UK Chemicals and Health Campaign.

"This is a tragedy and may have profound implications for the health of the people and wildlife of Europe - as well as costing the NHS, and thus the British taxpayer, a fortune in healthcare spending that could otherwise have been avoided."