1CONSEUR

ETUC Conference on REACHETUC Conference on REACH

Brussels, 11- 12 March 2005Brussels, 11- 12 March 2005

Position of TEST-ACHATS Position of TEST-ACHATS

The Belgian consumers’ associationThe Belgian consumers’ association

Hugues Thibaut,Hugues Thibaut,

europe@test-achats.beeurope@test-achats.be

2CONSEUR

Need to regulateNeed to regulate

Consumers exposed to Consumers exposed to

multiplicity of chemicals multiplicity of chemicals

→ → welcome Reach proposalwelcome Reach proposal

3CONSEUR

Right assessmentRight assessment Oppose a system based on volume Oppose a system based on volume

of productionof production

→ → priority to hazardous chemicals priority to hazardous chemicals

(potential harmful effect)(potential harmful effect)

→ → priority to consumer articlespriority to consumer articles

4CONSEUR

AuthorizationAuthorization

Authorization for substances of Authorization for substances of high concernhigh concern

ButBut : system is vague and not clear : system is vague and not clear

5CONSEUR

SubstitutionSubstitution Hazardous chemicals allowedHazardous chemicals allowed

→ → time-limited periodtime-limited period

→ → obligation to promote research obligation to promote research for safer for safer alternativesalternatives

6CONSEUR

Exposure scenariosExposure scenarios

Important to judge chemicals Important to judge chemicals exposureexposure

→ → no consensus at E.U. levelno consensus at E.U. level

Exposure scenarios to be part of ReachExposure scenarios to be part of Reach

7CONSEUR

LabellingLabelling Good labeling crucial for consumersGood labeling crucial for consumers

→ → informed choicesinformed choices

Warning symbols cover consumer Warning symbols cover consumer articlesarticles

New warning symbol for hazardous New warning symbol for hazardous chemicals with temporary chemicals with temporary authorizationauthorization

8CONSEUR

EnforcementEnforcement

General Safety Product Directive General Safety Product Directive deals with safety of consumers deals with safety of consumers articlesarticles

→ → direct reference to GSPD to direct reference to GSPD to ensure equal consumer protectionensure equal consumer protection