The real cost of REACh—in euros and cents

摘要

The audience had already been bombarded with fine words and sentiments interspersed with warnings, concerns and caveats. It was, after all, a one-day conference on the future of the European tanning industry held in premises belonging to the EU. Organised by the European Commission's DG ENTR, Cotance and the EU Trade Union Federation, (see World Leather June/July 2004, pg.5) it had followed a fairly predictable path. Workers had to be protected but businesses had to be encouraged. As EC Commissioner Liikanen spoke of a new friendly regulatory environment and a desire to support European manufacturers in their efforts to become more competitive, the more cynical members of the audience saw his words as being somewhat hollow. 'Too little too late' would probably be an accurate assessment of the mood. Late in the afternoon, the subject was the implications of the EC's REACh (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) initiative (see World Leather Nov 2003, Feb/Mar 2004, June/July 2004). The speaker on behalf of the EC gave his speech in generalities, arguing that this initiative would not be just another burden but a positive benefit, rolling up so many different health and safety issues into one piece of legislation. The speaker on behalf of the trade unions stated that this was a welcome initiative to protect workers but that, of course, it shouldn't reduce employment, competitiveness, etc.