There is a societal concern that too little is known about the possible health, safety and environmental effects of industrial chemicals. We believe that our industry must respond quickly and effectively to public concern.
We feel strongly that this must continue to be done in full consultation with all stakeholders. A current example is ICI’s active participation with industry, regulators and our customers in debate on the future of chemical policy in Europe and the REACH legislation.
Throughout our history we have been committed to science-based risk assessment that leads to risk management measures to balance the advantages and drawbacks of the products we produce and use.
We fully participate in industry groups to review chemicals where many aspects need to be considered, for example how and where a product is used; how it reacts with other chemicals in the environment; and whether people and the environment will be exposed to the chemical.
ICI supported the case for the political objectives for change to chemical regulations in the European Union (EU), namely protecting human health and the environment while ensuring the competitiveness of industry. We recognise the benefit of modernising chemical control legislation in the EU. At the same time, we and many others in the chemical industry had and have concerns that the REACH regulation is complex and potentially highly bureaucratic. More importantly, it does not reflect a risk-based approach based on regulation of priority substances.
That said, REACH legislation was approved toward the end of 2006 and will come into effect on 1st June 2007.
