UK CIA welcomes British govt's deregulation pledge

16 March 2005 17:55  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (CNI)--The Chemical Industries Association (CIA) welcomed on Wednesday what it called the “strong and clear” focus in the UK Budget on the country’s regulatory framework, specifically the approach adopted in the Hampton Review of regulatory inspection and enforcement.

 

The industry looks forward to helping to make this complex package of measures a reality, it said “at home and within the EU (European Union)”. Such reform is key to underpinning the sustainability of the UK chemical industry in the long term, it added. 

 

"Deregulation is not an option for us, CIA director general, Judith Hackitt, said. “But effective legislation should meet stakeholder expectations in assuring industry compliance with transparent standards, and at the same time, continue to enable industry to compete in a global market and stimulate continuing innovation.”  

 

She added that Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, and author of the report, Philip Hampton, had taken the process "a major step forward".

 

"Today's news also underlines the value of CIA's existing work with the [government's] Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on the 'regulation and recognition' project. This aims to produce a system in which excellent health and safety performance is recognised - and then reflected by a more targeted inspection regime," she added. 

 

The Hampton report outlines the issues relevant to the administrative cost of regulation and suggests possible solutions.

 

The deregulation measures were broadly welcomed across industry although questions were asked whether or not the Hampton report will result in fundamental change to the regulatory environment in which businesses work.

 

Brown indicated that the number of government agencies overseeing business would be drastically reduced and said that a method of risk-based inspection would be adopted that focused on problem areas so as to give well run companies more freedom to operate.

By: Nigel Davis
+44 20 8652 3214

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