BASF raises EU legislation concerns during Wallstrom visit

15 May 2003 18:04  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (CNI)--BASF took the opportunity on Thursday of a visit to its Ludwigshafen, Germany headquarters by European Union (EU) Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom to reiterate its concerns over the Commission's proposed new chemicals policy.

Together with Enterprise Commissioner Erkki Liikanen, Wallstrom is one of the chief architects and proponents of the EU’s controversial chemicals policy.

Wallstrom and Margit Conrad, Minister for the Environment of the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, were invited to Ludwigshafen by Eggert Voscherau - president of the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) and deputy chairman of BASF. The two politicians also met new BASF chairman Jurgen Hambrecht.

Both Cefic and BASF have roundly criticised the Commission's chemicals policy and a spokesman for the German chemicals giant confirmed that industry concerns were once again raised with Wallstrom.

The visit to Ludwigshafen included a tour of a production plant and discussions on the safe handling of chemical intermediates. Both politicians also used the visit to inform themselves about occupational safety and product stewardship at BASF.

By: Russell Ong
+44 208 652 3214

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