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E.U. adopts new chemicals regime

STRASBOURG (France): Some dangerous chemicals will not be allowed on the market and about 30,000 substances used in everyday products will have to be registered in a central EU database under a landmark law approved Wednesday.

The European Parliament passed the legislation — one of the most complex and far-reaching EU regulations ever — in a second reading after years of haggling marked by intense lobbying by the multibillion-dollar European chemicals industry and by protests from environmentalists who sought more restraints on the industry.

The law, a compromise balancing health and environmental concerns against fears that red tape would stifle business, puts the burden of proof on companies to show that industrial chemicals are safe. It is likely to come into force in mid-2007. — AP

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