Vol. 576 No. 5
135 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the Government's views on draft EU proposals to register and test for the health risk of chemicals used in various industries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29938/03]
The Government supports the overall objectives of the new legislation, which seeks to establish a single integrated system for registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemicals and which will require companies that produce, import or use chemicals, to assess the risks arising from their use and to take the necessary measures to manage any risk they identify. However, we consider it is essential that the right balance be struck between environmental, economic and social policy dimensions. The proposed regulatory regime must secure a high level of protection for human health and the environment, while at the same time stimulating innovation and maintaining the competitiveness of the EU industry.
Discussions have commenced at working group level under the Council of Ministers in Brussels on the details of the new legislation. These negotiations are likely to be complex and protracted, as the draft legislation is extremely technical and replaces more than 40 existing pieces of EU legislation. I assure the Deputy that we will devote a high priority to these proposals with a view to ensuring that a fair, workable and balanced system is put in place.
