Campaigners call for removal of innovation principle


Over 70 trade union, safety and environmental organisations have called for the immediate and complete removal of “an industry-created tool to undermine key policies and regulations protecting human health and the environment” from the next European Union (EU) framework programme for research and innovation.


In a joint statement, they say this tool, known as the innovation principle, has nothing to do with innovation and is instead an attempt to keep the regulation of dangerous products at bay and threatens the precautionary principle. This principle is enshrined in EU treaties and allows regulators to act where there is good reason to believe that harmful effects may occur without waiting for absolute scientific certainty about the risk of new products.


The groups are calling on EU institutions to delete all references to the innovation principle from the Horizon Europe research and innovation framework programme. 


They say the European Risk Forum, which represents industries including chemicals, tobacco and fossil fuels, created the tool to undermine EU regulations on chemicals, pesticides, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. 


The statement was released ahead of final negotiations on 
Horizon Europe earlier this month. An agreement is due to go to the European Parliament for a vote in April. 


www.uni-europa.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/2019-03-11-Last-chance-to-safeguard-citizens-protections-by-removing-Innovation-Principle-from-Horizon-Europe-.pdf