Harney concerned new chemical rules could hit industry

A RADICAL reform of Europe’s chemicals regulations was in danger of making the industry less competitive than in the US and Japan, Tánaiste Mary Harney said yesterday.

The proposals drawn up by the European Commission were considered by national governments yesterday in Brussels for the first time.

However, the draft has been criticised by health and environment groups such as Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund as being watered down to accommodate industry rather than protecting consumers.