EU calls for a database on substances of very high concern in articles?
The Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) came into force on 12th December 2010 to lay down some basic waste management principles, such as the “polluter pays principle” and the “waste hierarchy”, and to establish a legal framework for the treatment of waste in the EU.
A procedure to amend the Waste Framework Directive is currently expected to be finalised in the coming months. As a result of one draft amendment, a link to the REACH Regulation seems to be forming with regard to the consumer’s “Right to Know”.
According to Article 9 of the draft amended Waste Framework Directive, Member States are expected to take measures to prevent waste generation. One of these measures will require suppliers to provide information on substances of very high concern (SVHC) in their articles to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The ECHA will be obliged to develop a European database containing this information and make it available to waste treatment operators and consumers.
This will constitute a link between the Waste Framework Directive and the REACH Regulation, and will further support the rights of consumers to have access to information that helps them make informed purchasing decisions.
