Green groups slam MEPs backing of chemical classification overhaul

Environmentalists heavily criticised Wednesday’s (2 April) approval by Parliament’s environment committee of a new law harmonising EU chemical classification practices with international standards. They say it will fail to protect consumers and workers from dangerous chemicals.

The draft law, which will revise EU rules on the classification, labelling and packing (CLP) of dangerous chemicals, was approved by the committee with only minor changes, despite demands from the Greens to extend chemical labelling rules to some lower-hazard substances. 

Green and centre-left MEPs, who were outvoted by 48 to 10, also failed to include a passage calling for separate label requirements for persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic substances. 

The environmental NGO ChemSec called the vote a “weak show”, regretting that the main driving force appeared to be an “early deal rather than a convincing result”. 

Catherine Ganzleben from the European Environmental Bureau (EBB) also expressed frustration with the outcome, criticising MEPs’ failure to set a high international standard for implementing of the UN’s Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals. 

On the contrary, Cefic, which represents the European chemical industry, welcomed MEPs endorsement of the new law. Cefic’s Johan Breukelaar hailed the vote as a “step into the right direction”. 

The law must still be approved by Parliament’s full assembly and by member states before coming into force. 

The rapporteur of the EPP group, MEP Amalia Sartori, said she was “delighted” at the cross-party support for her proposals. She said she hoped it may even be endorsed by the member states before the summer. That would require MEPs to reach a compromise with EU member states before June. 

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