Far-reaching implications

In a number of these columns over the past year or so, the question of the European Commission's intentions in relation to a Community policy on the safety of chemicals has been discussed - the most recent development being the Commission's invitation for comments on its REACH(Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) proposals.

The consultation period finished on 10 July and, like most other trade associations, ABPI submitted a response to the Commission by the due date.

ABPI pointed out its dependence on the speciality and fine chemical sector for the supply of raw materials, intermediates and other chemicals used in the manufacture and distribution of medicinal products, and expressed concern over the potentially damaging effect of these proposals on this supplier sector. It was pointed out that as a 'downstream' user as well as a manufacturer, the pharmaceutical industry could increasingly seek to source chemicals outside the European Union if there were a reduction in availability of key chemicals as a result of the economic consequences of these proposals.

The overwhelming impression of the REACH proposal is of a system entailing a disproportionately heavy administrative burden which we fear may have a negative impact on our industry in a highly competitive field, while adding no real benefit to protecting people and the environment.

However, the paper suggests that if the Commission were to reconsider some elements of the proposals for REACH along the lines indicated, many of the primary goals set out in the White Paper will indeed be met without a disproportionate cost to the industry and the general economy of the EU.