“engine-aftertreatment system family” means, for testing over a service accumulation schedule to establish deterioration factors according to Annex II to Commission Directive 2005/78/EC implementing Directive 2005/55/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the measures to be taken against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from compression-ignition engines for use in vehicles, and the emission of gaseous pollutants from positive ignition engines ...[+++] fuelled with natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas for use in vehicles and amending Annexes I, II, III, IV and VI thereto (2) and for checking the conformity of in-service vehicles/engines according to Annex III to Directive 2005/78/EC, a manufacturer’s grouping of engines that comply with the definition of engine family but which are further grouped into engines utilising a similar exhaust after-treatment system;

RECOGNISING that persistent organic pollutants possess toxic properties, resist degradation, bioaccumulate and are transported, through air, water and migratory species, across international boundaries and deposited far from their place of release, where they accumulate in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems,

On responsibility for risk assessment of chemicals, the Commissioner said: "In the future, the chemicals industry will be responsible for generating and providing the necessary information about their own products in line with corporate responsibility". Illustrating how the authorisation requirements in REACH have been strengthened to maximise protection of human health and the environment Mrs Wallström explained: "REACH now requires that specific uses of high-concern substances, such as PBTs persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic pollutants - and vPvBs - very persistent and very bio-accumulative substances will have to be authorised.

Of particular concern are climate change, the loss of biodiversity and natural habitats, soil loss and degradation, increasing waste volumes, the build-up of chemicals in the environment, noise and certain air and water pollutants.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs): POPs represent a special threat since they persist in the environment for a long time, they travel over long distances from their sources, accumulate in the tissues of most living organisms and poison humans and wildlife.

Traditional scans for persistent pollutants missed this exposure for a long time because, unlike most POPs, persistent organic compounds, PFOS does not accumulate in fatty tissue, as most POPs do.