EEB Position

REACH

The EEB sets up regular working groups on chemicals and works closely with other NGOs such as WWF, HEAL and Greenpeace with some key demands:

  • Play it safe: Replace hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives whenever they exist.
  • Information improves trust: Provide sufficient safety information to identify dangerous chemicals and safer alternatives
  • A legal guarantee: Ensure the chemical industry’s responsibility for the safety of their products (Duty of Care)
  • Transparency for consumer products: Establish a “right to know” for citizens.

The EEB works to:

  • Enhance consumer awareness of the right to information on Substances of Very High concern (SVHCs) and promote consumer use of this to encourage retailers to phase out products containing SVHCs.
  • Lobby for timely substitution/restriction of SVHC substances.
  • Enhance functioning of European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) by insisting on transparency and independence.
  • Maintain NGO involvement in key reviews.
  • Secure and provide expert input through the ECHA committees into the assessment of substances on track for authorisation and restrictions and ensure that all possible information is brought to the table.

See also:

EEB's report The Fight to Know? Substances Of Very High Concern & The Citizens’ Right To Know Under Reach

and the related press release (Oct. 2010)

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