The committee stage of the European Parliament's second reading on REACH took place in its Environment Committee on 10 October. The Council's position was amended to reintroduce many of the points that were adopted by the Parliament at first reading, but which had not been accepted in the Council.
The Environment Committee's rapporteur, Guido Sacconi built a coalition, notably of Socialist, Green and Liberal Members, that brought back the following into the draft directive:
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The substitution principle was strengthened: high risk substances must be replaced where a safer alternative substance is available.
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Authorisations would also be subject to a five year review.
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A general duty of care for all chemical substances on the European market was adopted. This means that manufacturers, importers and downstream users would have to ensure that they manufacture, place on the market, or use substances that do not adversely affect human health and the environment. This would count for all substances, irrespective of production volume.
Changes were made which aim to improve the situation for downstream users in terms of providing them with information earlier in the process on the substances to be registered by the supplier, so that they have more time to prepare.
This will now go to the full Parliament in November or December. If the amendments to Council's position are adopted, the text will go back to the Council which can either approve Parliament's position or open a “conciliation procedure” to negotiate a compromise with Parliament. No text can be adopted without both Council and Parliament approving it in identical terms.