Next batch of MEPs to hold REACH debate

By Roger Falk

Date: 19/02/04

LEADERS of the European Parliament have decided that it will be the new MEPs elected after June's elections who will debate the controversial EU chemicals safety proposal.

The postponement of the first reading of REACH until after the European elections is a success for the assembly's biggest group, the European People's Party, and for the chemicals industry, which tried to delay the debate.

REACH, the Commission's proposal on Registration, Evaluation, Authorization of Chemicals, has been subject to a prolonged struggle throughout the EU lawmaking process so far.

After a drawn-out process and wrangling between three Parliament committees, the assembly's Conference of Presidents decided on 5 February to give to the environment committee the task of reporting on REACH.

But it imposed an unusual condition: the committee must not finish the first reading before the elections. This means that the report drafted by Socialist Italian environment committee MEP Guido Sacconi is put on hold until the next Parliament is assembled - although talks will be held before then.

The Parliament's industry and legal affairs committees have both been granted enhanced rights over the report and will be able to vote on it. But Parliament's rules of procedure only mention involving two committees in the work on a report, and not three, and this could further complicate the handling of the embattle.

REACH proposal. Three other committees will comment on the proposal.

The first reading in the European Parliament of new chemical safety proposals (REACH) will not now take place until after European Parliament elections in June 2004.