Concern over ETUC's list of substances of very high concern

The cement sector is concerned that the alternative list of substances of very high concern, released by the European Trade Union Congress (ETUC) in March 2009, will cause confusion and hinder the effective assessment of substances. Together with associations representing the glass, industrial minerals and non-ferrous metals trades, CEMBUREAU has warned that the ETUC’s alternative to the European Chemical Agency (ECHAⁱ)’s official list risks muddying the waters. The ETUC list is based on a different set of criteria, and challenges the integrity of the REACHⁱ process. Authorisation criteria under REACH were agreed upon through lengthy discussions with decision makers and stakeholders. The cement industry believes that ECHA should have sole responsibility for publishing the candidate list of substances which may end up on the official candidate list.

The joint response can be found here