In this issue…

Chemicals

- Public inventory of chemical hazard information launched
- Proposal for stricter controls on water pollutants
- New chemicals added to REACH restrictions and authorisation lists

Climate Change

- European Parliament committee votes to set aside ETS allowances

Waste

- EU end-of-waste criteria proposed for glass

Other

- French support for legislation clarifying the precautionary principle

The Month Ahead

- Workshops & Conferences

Excerpt from Climate Change

European Parliament committee votes to set aside ETS allowances

On 28 February, the European Parliament’s energy committee voted on proposed changes to the EU Energy Efficiency Directive. In particular, they voted to set aside EU emissions trading scheme (ETS) allowances. Setting aside ETS allowances would enable the commission to intervene in the scheme to drive up low prices and take measures “which may include withholding of the necessary amount of allowances”. In addition, the energy committee voted to introduce binding national energy efficiency targets for 2020, going against the Commission’s proposal for non-binding targets. The full parliament isdue to vote on the draft resolution at the end of March 2012.

Please see full update below for more information.