MEPs’ decision on chemicals puts them on collision course with states

DANGEROUS chemicals in everyday products must be replaced — when available — with safer alternatives, MEPs decided yesterday.

But the decision puts them on a collision course with EU member states, including Ireland, that say this will be too heavy a burden for industry.

The REACH directive (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) aims to reform Europe’s laws on chemicals and protect people from dangerous substances found in detergents, computer parts and furniture, for instance.