MEPs set to debate ‘tricky’ EU chemicals law

STRASBOURG: The REACH chemicals regulation is the trickiest piece of legislation that MEPs have ever had to deal with, according to parliament officials.

But MEPs know exactly what they are voting on and are expected to complete a marathon first reading vote on Thursday as scheduled.

“Reach has been the trickiest piece of legislation,” said an official during a press briefing on Tuesday, ahead of the parliament debate.

MEPs will be ploughing through well over 1500 amendments, 700 of which have been re-introduced by the parliament’s internal market and industry committees after being dumped during the environment committee vote under lead rapporteur, Guido Sacconi.

And officials said the marathon voting session on Thursday could last for over four hours.

“It will take at least two hours, but may take an extra two hours to properly complete the vote.”

Concerns over whether most MEPs fully understand the technicalities and complexities of Thursday’s vote were dismissed by parliament officials.

“REACH has been on the table for many years,” said a spokesman.

“It’s been through ten parliamentary committees; seven committees gave simple opinions, two were closely involved under the ‘enhanced cooperation’ procedures and of course all the MEPs on the environment committee.”

And according to officials, deputies have never been better information than on REACH.

“Each political group has been working on REACH for years.”

And the possibility of Thursday’s vote being derailed by MEPs who wish to follow the UK presidency’s lead in postponing a council of ministers decision on REACH was also dismissed.

“Some MEPs would prefer to vote at the next plenary in Brussels on November 30, but there has been no official request for postponement [from the political groups],” said the spokesman.

“We are going to vote on Thursday as scheduled.”

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