The European Parliament approved the report by Mrs Inger SCHÖRLING (Greens/EFA, S) by 242 votes to 196 votes with 35 abstentions. It supports the Commission's plan to establish a single system for the registration, evaluation and auhtorisation of both existing and new chemicals, to replace the existing cumbersome and ineffective legislation, but wants to go further. (Please refer to the previous text).
In addition, the Parliament welcomes the merging of legislative provisions applicable to existing and new substances, and the proposed registration of and evaluation procedure for all substances produced in excess of 1 tonne annually. It rejects, on the other hand, calls for an additional register for all substances produced at under 1 tonne annually.
The Parliament voted not to expand greatly the range of substances that are proven to be carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic to reproduction (CMR) and should therefore be limited to CMR categories 1 and 2 substances and to persistent organic pollutants (POPs). However, it does want the Commission to consider whether substances such as PBTs should also be included and it wants to include pesticides.
Lastly, Parliament is keen to ensure that the needs of industry, especially small business, are taken on board under the new chemicals strategy, which must avoid excessive red tape and protect commercial confidentiality.�