C.J. van Leeuwen (EDT), T.G. Vermeire (EDT) Risk Assessment of Chemicals: An Introduction

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Chemicals are used to make virtually every man-made regard to their production, formulation, use and disposal. product and play an important role in the everyday life It will provide a high level of protection of human health of people around the world. The chemical industry is the and the environment and, at the same time, enhance the third largest industrial sector in the world and employs competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry. millions of people. Since 1930, global production of chemicals has risen from 1 million tonnes to over 400 Successful implementation of REACH will be a million tonnes annually. In 2004 the global sales were challenge. It will involve 30,000 chemicals, 30,000 estimated at 1776 billion. The EU accounts for companies, a newly created European Chemicals approximately 33% of global sales. This gradual increase Agency and many other stakeholders. REACH will also in the production and widespread use of chemicals was be a scientific challenge. It will boost further scientific not without "cost". While chemicals play an important research into sustainable chemistry. It will also make us role in products for health and well-being, they may also aware of the scarce human resources currently available pose risks to human health and the environment. to meet these challenges.