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Institutions within the European Union 

Draft Legislation to Implement the Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) Policy (May 2003)
The draft REACH legislation consists of a main section and technical annexes. [Download PDF] [Go to Web site]

White Paper on the Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy (February 2001)
European Commission
The White Paper sets out the strategy for a future Community Policy for Chemicals, with the objective of ensuring a high level of protection for human health and the environment, while ensuring the efficient functioning of the internal market and stimulating innovation and competitiveness in the chemical industry. [Download PDF]

White Paper Correspondence and Working Group Reports (October 2001–February 2002)
Technical experts Working Groups were convened from October 2001 to February 2001 to assist the European Commission in development of legislation to implement the White Paper proposals. Records are available for meetings of some of the groups.
[Go to web site]

Feasibility Study on the Resource Requirements for a Central Entity (June 2002)
European Commission
The European Commission commissioned a feasibility study on the establishment of a central administrative entity responsible for administering its new chemicals management policy called Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH). This report describes the feasibility and costs for establishing such an entity.
[Download PDF]

Assessment of the Business Impact of New Regulations in the Chemical Sector (May 2002)
Prepared for the European Commission by RPA and Statistics Sweden, this report provides an overview of the costs of implementation of the REACH chemicals management system.
[Download PDF]

Assessment of the Impact of the New Chemicals Policy on Occupational Health (March 2003)
This report conducted by RPA, Inc., presents an analysis of the occupational health benefits of the REACH proposal.
[Download PDF]

Report on the Commission White Paper on Strategy for a future Chemicals Policy (Schörling report) (17 October 2001)
This report is the product of the European Parliament Environment Committee’s debate on the Commission’s White Paper for a future Chemicals Policy.
European Parliament
[Download PDF]

Late Lessons from Early Warnings: The Precautionary Principle 1896–2000
European Environment Agency
2001
This report is about gathering information on the hazards raised by human economic activities and its use in taking action to protect better the environment and the health of the species and ecosystems that are dependent on it. The study aims to contribute to better and more accessible science-based information and more effective stakeholder participation in the governance of economic activity.
[Download PDF]

Chemicals in the European Environment: Low Doses, High Stakes?
European Environment Agency
1998
Aimed at raising public and political awareness to facilitate preventative action by governments and others, the report claims that there is a serious lack of monitoring and information on the 100,000 chemicals marketed in the EU. Evidence for some serious and irreversible chemical hazards is increasing, and although there are many laws to protect people, implementation and effectiveness can be poor.
[Download PDF]

Sixth Environment Action Programme COM(2001)31
European Commission
The sixth EU Environment Action Programme provides the environmental component of the Community’s forthcoming strategy for sustainable development. It continues to pursue some of the targets from the Fifth Environment Action Programme, which came to an end in 2000. It calls for the active involvement and accountability of all sections of society in the search for innovative, workable and sustainable solutions to the environmental problems we face.
[Download PDF]
Executive Summary
[Download PDF]

Water Framework Directive (23 October 2000)
European Parliament and European Council
This European Union Directive establishes a framework for Community action in the field of water policy. An integral part of this framework is management of harmful chemicals.
[Download PDF]

Occupational Carcinogens Directive (28 June 1990)
European Parliament and European Council
Council Directive 90/394/EEC of 28 June 1990 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens at work contains a requirement for firms to substitute to the extent feasible carcinogens in the workplace. It also contains control and medical surveillance requirements.
[Go to web site]

Consolidated list of Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reproductive Toxicants (CMR), Class 1 and 2 (2002)
European Commission
A list of CMR substances restricted in consumer available preparations under the Limitations Directive, Directive 76/769/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations. Also contains information on other substances restricted or under discussion for restrictions.
[Download PDF]
[Go to web site]

Directive on Restrictions on Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) (January 2003)
European Parliament and European Council

The Directive on Restrictions on Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment restricts the use of several chemicals—lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in electrical and electronic equipment. It is a sister directive to the more encompassing Directive on Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) which requires that manufacturers take back equipment at end of life.
[Download PDF] (RoHS Directive)
[Download PDF] (WEEE Directive)

Assessment of the Impact of the New Chemicals Policy on Environment and Health (July, 2003)
European Commission
Four case study chemicals were selected whose uses were — or are in the process of being — prohibited or restricted following risk assessments under existing legislation. The study shows that through REACH, the properties of substances will be assessed more quickly and the hazards will tend to be identified before significant damage occurs rather than waiting for monitoring to provide evidence of harm. Because REACH will require data on chemicals to be provided in a systematic manner, it will contribute to risks being assessed more rigorously, allowing effective management measures to be identified more rapidly.
[Download PDF]