EU lawmakers push for safer chemicals in bill vote

BRUSSELS, Oct 10 (Reuters) European Union lawmakers handed a victory to environmentalists today, endorsing rules that would force companies to substitute safe substances when available for hazardous ones in the bloc's new chemicals regime.

The vote in the European Parliament's environment committee could anger industry and EU governments, which favour less strict regulations.

It was the latest twist in the lengthy process of reforming the EU's chemicals laws with a proposal called REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals).

The rules, which must still be approved by the full legislative body and by EU governments, are designed to protect the public from the adverse effects of chemicals found in a wide range of products such as paint, detergents, cars and computers.

Chemical makers would have to register the properties of substances in a central EU database. Those of highest concern, such as carcinogens, would require authorisation to be used.

Committee members tackled the authorisation process today, voting in favour of an amendment that would deny approval for dangerous chemicals if suitable alternatives exist.

Companies seeking authorisation would also have to prove the social and economic advantages of a hazardous chemical ''outweigh the risks to human health or the environment which arise from the substance'', according to the amendment by Guido Sacconi, the deputy responsible for steering the bill through parliament.

The vote sets up a potential clash with EU governments, which have supported a version that would authorise dangerous chemicals if companies prove they can be adequately controlled.

A majority of committee members voted for the substitution provisions.

European businesses had urged lawmakers to oppose the substitution rules, saying they would lead to substances with socio-economic benefits being removed from the market.

Environmentalists pushed for the provisions, arguing that when safer substances are available, they should be used.

REUTERS BDP BST1512