EU parliament approves industry-friendly chemicals bill

The European Parliament today approved an industry-friendly version of a bill designed to protect people from the adverse effects of chemicals found in everyday products.

Politicians in Strasbourg reduced the scope and weakened the provisions of the bill, which puts the burden of proof on businesses to show that about 30,000 commonly-used industrial chemicals and substances they put on the market are safe.

The legislation controls chemicals such as those used in household products, cars and computers.