24th report: Chemicals in Products: Safeguarding the Environment and Human Health(2003)

Background to the Chemicals study

In October 2000, the Royal Commission announced its new study to commence in 2001 into the long-term effects of chemicals in the environment and how these should be controlled. Developments in the chemical industry over the last decade have brought great benefits, but the manufacture and use of chemicals has also created risks to humans and the natural environment. Doubts persist on the effectiveness of present policies in protecting humans and ecosystems from unintended long-term effects.

The study is timely both at a national level, including inputting to the work of the Chemicals Stakeholder Forum, and internationally where there is growing debate on the effectiveness of chemical assessment and control programmes.

The Commission's study of long-term effects of chemicals in the environment was conducted in two stages: first to scope the topics to be included in the Study and second to seek evidence.

Scoping the Study

The Commission identified three major themes for investigation: scientific knowledge and further research needs; how chemicals are best assessed; and the principles that should be followed in regulating chemicals. In the first phase of the study, the Commission sought views on the key issues on which it should concentrate. Interested organisations and individuals submitted views on the eighteen wide-ranging issues identified by the Commission, as well as on other significant issues. The Commission was told of relevant initiatives and studies, and of examples of practical difficulties, or of good practice, in current assessment and regulatory systems. In addition to being posted on the website, the letter inviting the submission of information for the scoping phase of the study was sent to around 100 organisations in October 2000.

Around 40 sets of comments were received on the proposed scoping of the Chemicals Study.

Literature review

The RCEP commissioned a literature review of people's values in relation to chemicals and their effects on humans and the natural environment. The study was carried out by Professor Joyce Tait and colleagues at the Scottish Universities Policy, Research and Advice group (SUPRA).

Seminar

On 19 July 2001, the Commission hosted a seminar at the Institute of Materials in London to gather views from interested parties on current and possible alternative approaches to the use and control of chemicals in society. Entitled Fresh approaches to chemical use and control, the seminar involved around thirty participants.

Seeking Evidence

Beginning in winter 2001, oral evidence was gathered on particular issues of interest to the Commission. To assist the Commission in this task, an invitation to submit evidence was sent to over two hundred organisations and individuals in October 2001. Evidence also received from some other interested parties.

Consultancy reports

1. In August 2002, CEFAS and CEH produced a consultancy report for the Commission - Assessing the potential of environmental monitoring for detecting and responding to damage caused by the use of chemicals.

2. In November 2002, SPRU (Science and Technology Policy Research unit, University of Sussex) wrote a consultancy report for the Commission - A review of the impact of regulation on the Chemical Industry. The central aim of the Study was to analyse the key issues and make recommendations designed to reduce the chance that chemical use will cause long-term damage to the natural environment or human health.

Page last updated: 21 May 2009

The Royal Commission for Environmental Pollution