Last week the Financial Times reported that U.S. Secretary of
State Colin Powell sent a confidential cable in March to U.S.
diplomats in the European Union (EU) and 10 countries set to
join the EU in May. Powell urged the U.S. officials to lobby the
foreign governments against the new chemical rules.[1]

"U.S. agencies believe it is important to reiterate to
government officials and stakeholders our general concerns"
about the proposed chemical regulations, the Powell cable
stated. It also provided diplomats with a list of talking points
to use in their communications with "appropriate host government
environment, trade, industry and foreign ministry officials."[2]

A follow-up article this week reported on a complaint from Rep.
Henry Waxman (D-CA) "accusing the Administration of working with
U.S. industry" to influence European chemical policy. In the
article the European Commission "expressed concern" over the
combined effort to sway EU regulations.[3]

The European proposal, known as REACH (Registration, Evaluation
and Authorization of Chemicals), would require manufacturers to
test thousands of chemicals for health and environmental impacts
in order for them remain on the market. The EU Commission
proposed the reforms to improve the safety of chemicals to which
people are exposed through a variety of household, industrial
and personal products.

While the regulations would apply only to chemicals manufactured
in Europe, U.S. chemical companies would have to meet the same
standards in order to export their products to European
countries. The U.S. government and U.S. chemical industry have
argued the new restrictions could be too costly and burdensome.

Little is currently known about the safety of most chemicals
manufactured in the U.S. or Europe. Contrary to popular belief,
the U.S. does not require companies to test chemicals for human
exposure risks before placing them on the market.

In fact, U.S. chemical regulatory policy fails to require any
testing whatsoever for more than 95 percent of the chemicals
currently in commerce. Studies show that as a result, Americans
carry a "body burden" of more than 100 chemicals used in
products such as Teflon pans, cosmetics and flame retardants
used in fabrics and electronic goods.

###

SOURCES:
[1] "US Diplomats to Lobby EU on Chemicals Rules," Financial
Times, March 28, 2004.
[2] Ibid.
[3] "Fears Over US Tactics on EU Chemical Rules," Financial
Times, Apr 6, 2004.