Translation of "Déversement accidentel de produits chimiques " (French → English) :

In view of the risks identified for the environment, labels or safety data sheets of products authorised for use in paper mills shall indicate the need for an appropriate dilution of the industrial release from the facilities into the watercourse after mechanical/chemical treatment or after treatment in a sewage treatment plant, unless it can be demonstrated that risks can be reduced to an acceptable level by other means.

54. Advocates strict control and continued testing and assessment of the environmental impact of chemical dispersants (and emergency response plans involving the use of chemical dispersants) both to ensure their suitability in the event of a spill and to avoid public health and environmental implications; calls for the Commission to provide for more detailed research into the impacts of such chemicals through EU research programmes if necessary;

55. Advocates strict control and continued testing and assessment of the environmental impact of chemical dispersants (and emergency response plans involving the use of chemical dispersants) both to ensure their suitability in the event of a spill and to avoid public health and environmental implications; calls for the Commission to provide for more detailed research into the impacts of such chemicals through EU research programmes if necessary;

39. Advocates strict control, continued testing and assessment of the environmental impact of chemical dispersants (and on emergency response plans involving the use of chemical dispersants) both to ensure their suitability in the event of a spill and to avoid public health and environmental implications; calls for the Commission to ensure more detailed research into the impacts of such chemicals through EU research programmes if necessary.

Waters are also under potential severe threats resulting from human activities. Industrial and agricultural activities imply the use of chemicals, which often end up in surface and ground waters, following their immediate release or after a long storage in inappropriate conditions. In the developing world most of the wastes is discharged directly into rivers, lakes and coastal waters without any kind of treatment. The ongoing decrease of water quality has severe implications not only for resource availability and human health but also for vital eco-systems.

The people I have spoken to have great concerns about being classified as criminals, even if acquitted, for an accidental spill with which they had nothing to do.