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CHEMICALS POLICY

: : About the issue

Millions of animals will be adversely affected by REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals) the new EU legislation adopted in December 2006. REACH involves the testing of about 30,000 chemicals that have been in use since 1981 as well as new chemicals. The legislation is designed to regulate the production and marketing of chemicals because of concerns about their effects on human health and the environment.

: : What is the current situation?

Under the legislation, the sharing of tests and studies on animals is mandatory, therefore, companies testing the same chemicals are obliged to share their data to ensure there is no duplication of animal testing.

: : What is Eurogroup calling for?

Eurogroup is calling for proper implementation by:

	Mandatory sharing by companies of animal test data
	The use of alternative test methods and the funding of the development and validation of alternative methods
	evaluation of testing proposals involving animals, through the guidance documents, to minimise their use

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

European Union

REACH Regulation (Dec. 06)

European Chemicals Agency

DG Environment - chemicals

DG Enterprise - chemicals

Eurogroup documents

Briefing on REACH (Jan. 07)