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CHEMICALS REGULATION EXPLORED - 8th December 2003

The first meeting of Cambrensis’ Chemicals Group was held at the Middle Temple Hall in London on 5th December 2003, and heard presentations from some of the leading figures involved in the current debates about the European Unions’s REACH chemicals regulation proposals and the UK Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution’s recent report ‘Chemicals in Products’. Cambrensis was pleased to welcome a delegate from DEFRA legal.

Dr David Slater, Director, Cambrensis gave a presentation on the strengths and weaknesses of the EU REACH proposals. A chemist by training, David Slater had worked on chemicals regulation proposals both at the European Commission and when Chief Inspector of HM Inspectorate of Pollution, and recently spoke on the REACH proposals at a major conference in Sweden.

Professor Richard Macrory, Professor of Environmental Law at University College London and a Board Member of the Environment Agency for England and Wales gave a presentation on the recent Royal Commission Report ‘Chemicals in Products’. Richard Macrory had been a member of the RCEP when that report was published. His presentation identified similarities and significant differences between the REACH and RCEP approaches to chemicals regulation.

Mr Andy Deacon, Policy Analyst, Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution contributed an update on the position since publication of the RCEP report, and the discussions held and presentations given by the RCEP in Brussels as a means of contributing to the development of the REACH process.

Dr Alison Hamer, Regulatory Affairs Manager, JSC International gave an account of the practical implications of the REACH regulations for chemical companies, and the analytical work involved in undergoing the REACH system.

Jonathan Lutwyche, Regional Business Adviser for the chemicals industry in the North West (sponsored by the Northwest Development Agency and Business Link) contributed a contrasting view on the practical effects of all this regulation on SMEs and the risks of chemical businesses re-locating their production overseas to less regulated markets.

For inquiries about membership of Cambrensis’ Chemicals Group, or to request copies of presentations given at its meetings, please contact us

 

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