Regulating Industrial Chemicals: Lessons for U.S. Lawmakers From the European Union’s REACH Program

November 2012
Citation:
42
ELR 11042
Issue
11
Author
Adam D.K. Abelkop, Ágnes Botos, Lois R. Wise, and John D. Graham

Should Europe’s chemicals law, called REACH, be considered by U.S. policymakers interested in reform of TSCA? The new REACH registration process, while burdensome, is more workable than was originally feared. However, it appears that REACH is much more complex than it needs to be to accomplish its objectives. U.S. policymakers should consider simplifications of the REACH program.

Adam D.K. Abelkop is a doctoral student in Public Policy at the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Ágnes Botos is a doctoral student at Central European University, Budapest, and REACH Consultant, GHS-expert Ltd., Hungary. Lois R. Wise is a Professor at the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs and Director of the Indiana University West European Studies and European Union Center. John D. Graham is Dean and Professor at Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

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