WHAT'S NEW

• Agenda
• Invitation Letter

CHEMICALS REGULATION SEMINAR
'CHEMICALS – MORE PRACTICAL WAYS FORWARD' 18TH June 2004

Speakers at the next meeting of Cambrensis' Chemicals Group at the Middle Temple Hall, Middle Temple Lane, London EC4 on Friday 18th June 2004 from 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. will include senior representatives of -

EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DEFRA
BRITISH CHEMICAL DISTRIBUTORS & TRADERS
B&Q
BHP BILLITON PLC
CAMBRENSIS

Attendance at this seminar is Free to members of Cambrensis' Chemicals Group, £125 for non-members.

For all enquiries please contact us

 

AGENDA

Chemicals Contact Group
“ Chemicals – More practical Ways Forward”

Friday, 18 June 2004
9.30 am – 1.00 pm Middle Temple, London EC4Y

9.30 Coffee and registration

10.00 “Welcome and introduction” - Chair
Dr David Slater, Director
Cambrensis

10.10 “The background issues to the current Consultation”
Andrew McWhir, Head - Chemical Policy Branch, CGMP
Defra

10.30 “Current proposals for EU directive implementation”
Mark Blainey, DG Environment
European Commission

11.00 Coffee

11.15 “Making REACH work”
Melvyn Whyte, Chairman
British Chemical Distributors and Traders Association’s Task Force and the Whyte Group Limited

11.45 “Retailers’ needs and views”
Annie Johnson, Environmental Researcher Social Responsibility
B&Q (for British Retail Consortium)

12.15 “Issues concerning the Metals industry”
Steve Barnett, Vice President HSEQC
BHP Billiton plc

12.40 Open forum

1.00 Close

INVITATION LETTER

“Chemicals - More Practical Ways Forward?”

Cambrensis Chemicals Group, in association with British Retail Consortium
Friday, 18th June 2004 – Middle Temple, London EC4Y (9.30 am – 1.00 pm)

Speakers:
Mark Blainey - DG Environment, European Commission
Andrew McWhir – Head of Chemical Policy Branch, Defra
Melvyn Whyte – Chairman, British Chemical Distributors and Traders Association’s Task Force and the Whyte Group Limited
Annie Johnson – Environmental Researcher Social Responsibility, B & Q
Steve Barnett – Vice President HSEQC, BHP Billiton plc
Dr David Slater – Director, Cambrensis

Chemicals are literally essential to life. On the other hand, most lay people find it difficult to cope with the way in which information is communicated on the seriousness or otherwise of issues of the moment, particularly when the same chemicals are seeming to threaten their health and that of their born and unborn children.

To address this lack of objective, independent information and to demonstrate to an increasingly concerned public that chemicals are indeed, or otherwise, being carefully regulated and controlled by concerned and competent authorities, the REACH proposals have been tabled. After a vigorous exchange of views, these proposals have now been amended and Chemical manufacturers are awaiting the detailed proposals to emerge from the European Commission.

Up until now, the discussions have been fairly adversarial, with concerns about control being balanced against equally valid concerns for the future of chemical manufacturing in UK and Europe. This impasse will inevitably result in Europe eventually producing a process involving expensive, and perhaps inappropriate, testing regimes and complex bureaucratic regulatory process, which will satisfy neither the manufacturers nor the public.

When things get this complicated it is time to explore simpler ways of reaching the same end. A number of current initiatives are underway to do just that. The Government has attempted to engage both sides in a ”Stakeholder” Forum. The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution has proposed a more systematic, selective approach to identifying problem chemicals. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has developed a simple ranking tool to prioritise chemicals which need action. Can we encourage and perhaps co-ordinate their initiatives and possibly produce a more informed and wider based response to Defra’s consultation? BRC has expressed an interest in holding a workshop to do just that and to endeavour to try to identify common cause in finding practical ways forward. The European Commission for one, is certainly very interested in practical alternatives.

To attend this event please contact David Slater at dslater@cambrensis.org, tel +44 (0)1432 840568, or Kim Bird at kbird@cambrensis.org, tel +44 (0)1432 840 568.
Cambrensis Chemicals Group members: Free
Non-members: £125.00

Kind regards

David Slater
Director

 

Further information:

European Commission - http://europa.eu.int

DEFRA - www.defra.gov.uk

British Chemical Distributors & traders Association - www.bcdta.org.uk

B&Q - www.diy.com

BHP Billiton plc - www.bhpbilliton.com

Cambrensis Ltd - www.cambrensis.org

 

 

Return to What's New Main Menu