In an article published on May 13, 2016 the non-profit organization International Chemical Secretariat (ChemSec) reports on a recent study by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) assessing the costs and benefits of restricting chemicals. In its study, ECHA describes the substitution costs and the benefits for human health and the environment of the restrictions included or proposed to be included in Annex XVII of the European regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). The costs of switching to alternative substances, for all the restrictions under REACH, are estimated at €290 million per year. The benefits by avoided adverse health effects and negative impacts on environment ECHA summarizes as follows: 1) Health benefits equivalent to over €700 million per year, 2) about 190 tonnes less substances of concern released per year, and 3) positive health impacts or removed risk for at least 81,000 consumers and workers per year.

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ChemSec (May 13, 2016). “ECHA report: Health benefits of chemical restrictions exceeds €700 million per year.

Reference

ECHA (2016). “Cost and benefit assessments in the REACH restriction dossiers.(pdf)

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