Deal on toxicity law fails to appease

The European Parliament has given a preliminary go-ahead to legislation that will bring in extensive toxicity testing of both new and existing chemicals. But the deal struck during the vote, which would see fewer chemicals tested than originally planned and a drive towards animal-free tests, has left most stakeholders dissatisfied. The controversial law, known as REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals), is one of the most complicated pieces of legislation that Europe has attempted. It raises the standards for safety testing of chemicals and puts full responsibility for safety assurance in the hands of industry.