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The article discusses issues related to the scope of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) that was conceptualized in the early 2000 by the European Union including the environmental and health benefits on the ramification of the directive.

Reports that the European Commission has made amendments to its 1990 Carcinogens Directive. Scope of changes; Implications of the amendment; Standard for benzene exposure.

Reports that the European chemical industry is preparing to fight the threat of unnecessarily strict regulations in the European Union on the control of hazardous chemicals following proposals by the European Union European Commission. Reaction from one official at the European Chemical Industry Council; Major defect in the safety regulatory system; Substances that will be evaluated by the authorities under the proposed system, REACH.

Reports that European Commission officials and chemical industry representatives will meet in September 1998 to work out ways for speeding up risk assessment of hazardous chemicals. Complaints about the slow rate of progress; Britain's call for an overhaul of the methods of making assessments; Possible disagreement about the interpretation of `precautionary approach.'

The article provides a time line for the implementation of the European "Reach" regulations which provide rules on the making and importation of hazardous materials by textile manufacturers.

This article discusses the approaching deadline for compliance with the requirement to register with the European agency coordinating the "Reach" program imported chemical substances used by the textile manufacturing industry which can be hazardous to human health and are either made or exported.

The article reports that the restriction of additional substances is being considered in the European Union (EU) as part of RoHS6. According to the article, the phasing out and obsolescence process could be initiated as soon as suitable alternative substances have been identified. Restrictions could be introduced during 2008 under the Marketing and Use Directive. Meanwhile, mercury and two PBDEs are banned in the United States.

The article reports that manufacturers of medical and monitoring and control instruments in European Union (EU) countries are expected to make changes to their product ranges from 2008 onwards in readiness for the implementation date of the EU-restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) scope. Some possible changes to EU scope are the clarification of the status of fixed installations and spare parts.

Presents news briefs on the chemical industry in Europe as of February 25, 2002. Ban on the sale of chemicals that are carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction proposed by the European Commission; Polymer polyol plant constructed by Shell at Pernis, the Netherlands.

Presents news briefs related to the chemical industry in Europe as of April 2001. Scheme started by the European Association of Chemical Distributors for the notification of hazardous chemicals banned or restricted for import/export under European Union legislation; Closure of the polyvinyl chloride and vinyl monomer plants of Solvin at Zandvliet, Belgium; Acquisition of two Helvar Merca terminals in Finland by Vopak company.

Reports that the European Commission has proposed in January 2001 a priority list of substances that it wants phased out or more strictly controlled to meet with new water quality standards that were finalized by the commission in 2000. List of the priority hazardous substances; Statement issued by the commission.

Reports on the European Parliament's issuance of a directive on the control of major accidents involving dangerous substances that replaces the 1982 Seveso directive.

Reports on the European Union's deliberations to arrive at a compromise for new directives on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) and Major Accidents Involving Dangerous Substances. Revision of the Seveso directive.

Discloses that the European chemical industry is making moves to involve environmental and consumer groups in assessing the risks posed by potentially hazardous chemicals. Regulations passed by the European Union for testing dangerous chemicals; Participation of the European Chemical Industry Council in the efforts.