EU chemicals policy must ensure a high level of
protection of human health and the environment as
enshrined in the Treaty both for the present generation
and future generations while also ensuring the
efficient functioning of the internal market and the
competitiveness of the chemical industry. Fundamental
to achieving these objectives is the Precautionary
Principle. Whenever reliable scientific evidence is
available that a substance may have an adverse impact
on human health and the environment but there is still
scientific uncertainty about the precise nature or the
magnitude of the potential damage, decision-making
must be based on precaution in order to prevent
damage to human health and the environment. Another
important objective is to encourage the substitution of
dangerous by less dangerous substances where suitable
alternatives are available. It is also essential to ensure
the efficient functioning of the internal market and the
competitiveness of the chemical industry.