REACHing for the truth from Defra
The recent DEFRA consultation document on REACH, together with its previously issued document on the work of the Chemicals Stakeholder Forum and options for actions on chemicals of concern, highlights once again the necessity for the UK industry to keep its eye firmly on the ball in respect of developments in these areas.
The recent DEFRA consultation document on REACH, together with its previously issued document on the work of the Chemicals Stakeholder Forum and options for actions on chemicals of concern, highlights once again the necessity for the UK industry to keep its eye firmly on the ball in respect of developments in these areas.
While pharmaceuticals per se are not seen as directly affected by either of the proposals, as downstream users we have continually to be aware of the implications of such measures for our supply chains.
ABPI is preparing comments on both consultations and will be forwarding these in due course to DEFRA. However, as an initial personal observation it does seem unnecessary at this stage for UK government to be effectively pre-empting the scheme that will come out of the REACH process.
It would seem that at this point UK Government should concentrate its efforts to ensure that the eventual European REACH model achieves its widely accepted goals of ensuring environmental protection while at the same time seeking to foster a thriving chemical industry in the European Community based on a proper risk-based approach.
The outcomes of these two consultations and the development of REACH will be awaited with interest.