Boots and WWF join forces against harmful chemicals
Friday, 27 Oct 2006 16:12
The WWF claims harmful chemicals are reaching the countryside
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Boots has joined forces with the WWF to put pressure on the EU to ensure that stronger chemicals legislation is implemented.
MEPs are set to vote on the new legislation, known as Reach (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals), this autumn.
The WWF has described the vote as a "once in a lifetime opportunity to protect the environment, wildlife and the health of future generations".
A joint statement issued today from Boots and the WWF announced that Reach must work in practice for both large businesses such as the high street pharmacist and smaller companies.
The statement also outlined steps the two groups believe should be implemented.
These include replacing hazardous chemicals with safer alternative if they exist, providing sufficient information for the identification of dangerous chemicals, a legal guarantee to ensure the chemical industry's responsibility for the safety of their products and the establishment of citizens' rights to know what chemicals are in their products.
Stephen Johnson, sustainable development manager for Boots, said that the company was "utterly committed to providing the best possible products for our customers".
"We believe that Reach offers [an] opportunity to ensure that a responsible, scientific and consumer friendly approach is taken on the use of chemicals in every-day products," he said.
Paul King, director of campaigns for WWF-UK, added: "Boots joining with us to push for a strong Reach underlines the fact that this issue is a major concern for businesses as well as for environmental and health campaigners."