EU launches controversial chemicals safety bill

[Kellanved]

BRUSSELS, Oct 29 (Reuters) - The European Commission proposed on Wednesday major new legislation on testing chemicals for risks to health and the environment that would ban substances not registered by a certain date, a spokesman said.

An earlier draft was attacked by the leaders of Germany, France and Britain, home to major chemicals firms, for being "costly and unworkable".

Environmental groups back greater controls over chemicals, some of which are used in many everyday products.

The Commission has said a more business-friendly version of the bill would cost the sector up to 5.2 billion euros over the next decade.

http://www.forbes.com/home_europe/newswire/2003/10/29/rtr1126808.html