What is REACH?
In June 2007 the new European chemical testing regime, REACH, came into force. It stands for the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals. Its purpose is to establish whether an estimated 30,000 chemicals on the market are safe for humans and the environment and to control the use of those judged to present a risk. Animal testing will be used.
What does REACH mean for animals?
The experiments used to assess the safety of chemicals are called toxicity tests, which traditionally involve the poisoning of guinea pigs, rabbits, rats and mice. Chemical companies now have up until 2018 to prove to the European Chemicals Agency that the chemical they are manufacturing or importing is safe to use. This will undoubtedly mean that until 2018 up to 13 million of animals will be poisoned and killed.
What has been achieved so far?
The BUAV and its partner organisations were successful in campaigning for some highly significant amendments to the REACH legislation. These include the promotion of alternative methods, data sharing and scrutiny of test proposals. For a detailed history of the lobbying process click here.
Estimates of the numbers of animals likely to be used under REACH were between 38-45 million! However, the BUAV contributed in bringing down the numbers about 8-13 million.
What is the BUAV doing now?
Today, the BUAV believe 13 million animals being poisoned and killed for chemicals testing is still not acceptable. We are therefore continuing to try to improve the implementation of the REACH process by:
- Encouraging regulators to promote and accept alternative methods (as they should under the REACH legislation)
- Encouraging the European Commission and the European Chemicals Agency to maximise the use of valid alternative methods to the industry
- Maintaining an eye on the REACH process by acting as an observer at ECHA and other important meetings so that the animal protection message continues to be heard
- Participating in key alternatives projects in the EU such as OSIRIS and a DEFRA LINK project on In Chemico Testing
