We expect articles like these to be a common theme over the next few months. From EurActiv.com:
Despite heavy criticism from its industry, the US appears to be moving closer to adopting rules similar to the EU’s controversial REACH chemicals regulation. The move comes as the new European chemicals agency opens in Helsinki (3 June) amid doubts over its ability to deal with thousands of new chemicals registration requests…
REACH currently covers some 30,000 chemicals and the new European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) expects to receive over 180,000 dossiers, with companies expected to give fuller accounts of their chemicals over the next 15 years…
However, a move towards similar legislation is now being made in the US Senate, although industry continues to heavily oppose such efforts…
Senator Barbara Boxer is leading an initiative to propose a new chemicals policy similar to REACH, with speculation rising in Washington that she will do so soon. But a recent testimony in front of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee showed early opposition to any new chemicals regulation.
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