A big challenge for the next European Commission will be to disconnect its evidence gathering processes from the “political imperative” that’s driving policy proposals, according to Anne Glover, the EU’s chief scientific advisor.
National officials meeting in The Hague have recommended cutting
down the costs of the draft EU chemicals law on businesses while
estimating the long-term benefits for society at "tens of billions"
of euros.
The battle over REACH rages on with new results of blood tests
by the WWF immediately dismissed by the bromine industry. Test
results, it is argued, are "alarmist" and aimed at "creating public
anxiety".
Twelve major industrial sectors have joined forces in their
objections to the EU's draft chemicals legislation over
competitiveness concerns. The trade and retail sectors have raised
similar doubts in a new impact study.
A study performed by US academics on behalf of the Nordic
Council of Ministers says REACH will cost around 0.06% of annual
sales revenues to the European chemicals industry.
The Parliament's vote in favour of banning nickel-cadmium batteries
was immediately followed by a Commission statement rejecting the
MEPs' disputed amendments.
In its first reading of the Commission's draft batteries directive, the Parliament's environment committee has proposed to ban nickel-cadmium batteries.
The Commission adopted on 25 November a proposal for a new battery directive, setting minimum rules for national collection and recycling schemes, but falling short of banning cadmium.
