European Citizens of vinnomot
At this time the European chemical companies are submitting testing
data on thousands of chemicals to the European Chemicals Agency,
based in Helsinki, Finland. The intention is to classify the toxicity
of these chemicals in order to decide how their use should be
controlled. It is advisable to keep up to date with the facts and to
make sure our best interests are represented.
REACH (a system of Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation &
restriction of CHemicals ) is the new European Chemical Testing
Policy. It came fully into effect on 1 June 2008 when the first stage
of pre-registration of chemicals began. It will require the
Registration of all chemicals used in quantities greater than 1 tonne
a year that were put on the market prior to 1981 (around 30,000 over
the next 11 years) and all new substances introduced after this date.
This is because before 1981 the testing of chemicals was inadequate
to guarantee their safety.
The European Commission has predicted that Reach will cost industry
between 2.8bn and 5.2bn euros. This will be an inefficient use of
resources if dependence is on outdated animal tests instead of
embracing new technology. In theory, animal testing should only be
done when no better alternative exists not because of a lack of
desire to find superior alternatives. The European Union has not
adequately embraced this strategy and REACH will require millions of
animal experiments. This is unacceptable considering advances in new
technology based on human biology not animals. This element is a
necessity to accurately assess a chemical's toxicity to humans.
The criterion necessary to validate alternatives are strict and
comprehensive. Validated alternatives are legally endorsed as
suitable replacements for animal tests. However, the European
Commission's list of approved methods does not include non-animal
procedures that were approved for scientific validity in 2007 by the
European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods ( ECVAM ).
This is a delay which has been criticized by the MEPs of the European
parliament because it will encourage companies to refrain from using
validated alternatives based on human biology and carry on using
animal tests instead. ECVAM does important work but if they are to
achieve what we all want - a complete system of scientific tests to
precisely locate and remove the most toxic chemicals from our
environment - their efforts must be supported and acknowledged.
Concerned citizens can contact their MEPs and insist they support at
every opportunity the validation and approval of alternative methods
for all future testing of chemicals.
For contact details of MEPs
http://www.europarl
For UK Citizens, latest Home Office figures tell that 3.2 million
animal experiments were carried out in 2007, the highest total since
1991. This follows a trend of increased animal experimentation for
the past 6 years. The principles of the 3Rs, to reduce, refine and
replace animals in experiments, are an important part the Animals
(Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 which regulates the use of animals
in scientific procedures in the UK. It is obvious that more
investment is needed to ensure chemicals are tested using the latest
technology based on human biology. Early Day Motion 321 calls on the
British government to further recognise the importance of 3Rs
research and provide more funding.
To full information on EDM 321
http://edmi.
To see the 2007 UK statistics
http://www.naturewa
For current information on Alternative Research
http://www.sciencer
Sincerely
T. Gallett
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