EU ministers finally came to an agreement in December over the highly contentious REACH Regulation, in spite of the German general election and further intense lobbying from industry and environmental groups. Once it is published in the Official Journal it will form the crux of the chemicals registration regime, and represents a balanced and workable compromise. However, the WWF has condemned the decision to reject what they regard as a crucial principle, as a betrayal. The condition to substitute hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives where possible was agreed in November but rejected at the latest discussions in December. This has been blamed on a German protectionist policy towards their chemical industry.
It is hoped that this can be addressed before REACH becomes law, and an 11th hour request to be able to amend the Regulation's first three annexes within a year of it coming into force has given optimism for some room for manoeuvre.
