New EC chemicals policy could force up costs - CIA

17 October 2002 18:16  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (CNI)—The European Commission’s (EC) new chemicals policy could drive some chemical production out of the European Union (EU) and force up costs for downstream manufacturers, the Chemical Industries Association (CIA) stressed on Thursday.

“In the chemical industry, there is no loyalty to brand as in other industries,” said Judith Hackitt, CIA director general. “One company’s molecule is exactly the same as its competitor’s outside the EU.”

She was addressing a group of UK members of the European Parliament (MEPs) at a briefing in Brussels yesterday.

“The EU chemical industry would be facing a real competitive disadvantage if the issue of how to police imports of chemicals and manufactured articles was not tackled by the Commission prior to publication of draft legislation expected next year,” she warned.

By: Glenda Thisdell
+44 20 8652 3214

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