Commissioner, this proposal for a regulation, which is designed to simplify existing legislation, is entirely within the framework of sustainable development, quite simply because it concerns an environmental issue, an issue which might also be related to public health and consumer policy. Furthermore, this clearly shows the links between these three competences or areas. It is also, however, an issue relating to the internal market, and – as Mr Florenz so clearly described – all the economic consequences of this kind of decision are thus evident. This is therefore an environmental problem since it involves exerting pressure on the various players concerned in order to significantly reduce the use of detergents, which, when excessive, has harmful consequences for water. It is also a matter of public health. Are we, in fact, really measuring the consequences for human health of water pollution caused by waste rinsing water containing detergents? We all want to significantly reduce the quantities used and the toxicity of the various ingredients in detergents. However, we need to set objectives in this area that are ambitious yet attainable. There, too, consumer policy is concerned, since it is up to consumers, in other words each one of us, to rationalise our use of detergents. This is achieved, in particular, simply by reducing the quantities used and using products more efficiently. In order to do so, consumers must be given access to better information concerning instructions and conditions of use, and genuinely become aware of their great responsibilities in this area. Efforts have already been made at this level by companies in the sector, by means of codes of good practice or the organisation of campaigns to increase public information and awareness. These actions, however, are undoubtedly still insufficient in relation to the environmental issues at stake here and current results. That is why I support the rapporteur, Mr Nobilia, in this field, as he goes further than the Commission. While conscious of the need to respect trade secrets, naturally – we sometimes address areas that could be sensitive – we would like to request further information. We would like all possible information to be sent immediately to the medical staff, who could be under obligation to respond and take decisions in this field. Of course, I would point out that the medical staff are also bound by professional secrecy. It is essential to continue research in this sector in order to find substances that are equally effective in terms of hygiene but less harmful to the environment. We need to find products that are more biodegradable. More specifically, with regard to the issue of animal experiments – we have already spoken about this enough in this House, amongst other occasions, when we had to decide on the cosmetics issue – we should encourage the use, wherever possible, of in vitro testing methods and other alternative methods. The various actions taken must, of course, be carried out in full consideration of European legislation, including the legislation we are preparing in the field of chemical substances, in order to adopt coherent policies.

Political group: PPE-DE