The EU has exempted a number of "green" technologies from its hazardous chemicals regulations.
The solar industry was celebrating last week after the EU confirmed late on Friday that it would exempt solar panels from new chemicals regulations that had threatened to effectively ban certain thin-film solar technologies.
The revised directive on hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, which was ratified into law last week, imposes a general ban on six hazardous substances, including cadmium, which is commonly used in cadmium telluride thin-film solar technologies.
So it appears that in the EU, at least, poisoning the environment is perfectly alright so long as you are an environmentalist. The end justifies the means.
(H/T Messenger)