Europe to force global ban on JanSan chemicals

STRASBOURG, France- The European Parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly approved legislation requiring safety testing of thousands of compounds, including those found in cleaning products and pesticides, that could cost chemical companies billions of dollars and lead to the global ban of some compounds, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday

Europe's executive branch estimates testing, which would be phased in over an 11-year period under REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals), could cost the chemical industry up to $6 billion but save $58 billion in healthcare over 30 years, according to the article.

The Times reported that REACH, which could gain final approval in December, would be the world's strictest standards and require the registration of about 30,000 chemicals with a newly created European agency.

Those consider the most dangerous, according to the article, would require authorization or their use in products sold in Europe would be prohibited.

Cleaning & Maintenance Management November 18,2005