Chemicals

Briefings in English - 2008

Carbon Crush: The European Commission's proposal to amend the Emissions Trading Scheme may mean the chemical industry has to pay too high a price. By Jonathan Isted and Sharon Long Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. (14-20 July 2008)

Briefings in English - 2007

This article is based on one first published in The International Comparative Legal Guide to Product Liability 2007. (August 2007)

After years of intense political wrangling, the European Council adopted the final text of the EU’s new chemical safety regime, REACH, on 18 December 2006 (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006). Its adoption followed months of negotiation between the Council, the European Parliament and interest groups, resulting in a last minute deal that, though representing a step back from the more stringent measures at one point proposed by the European Parliament, will still present significant challenges for the chemicals industry and downstream users of chemicals, not least of which will be the cost implications of achieving compliance. Proponents of REACH assert that REACH will both reduce the environmental and health impacts of hazardous chemicals and increase consumer confidence in their safety. The ramifications of REACH, setting as it does a new global benchmark for chemicals legislation and best practice, are also likely to be felt worldwide. We have prepared this guide to help you understand the key provisions of the new REACH regime and its likely implications for industry. (April 2007)

Briefings in English - 2005

This briefing considers some of the possible legal risks inherent in the new chemicals regulatory regime, the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), for both the chemicals industry and downstream manufacturers. We also suggest steps that can be taken now to limit possible future exposure. (October 2005)

Briefings in English - 2004

An EU-wide emissions trading scheme will come into force on 1 January 2005. The UK government's draft plan for the allocation of emissions to national installations under this scheme raises many legal, commercial and political issues, has already caused significant controversy and is likely to give rise to legal challenge in the months ahead. This briefing highlights some of the most significant issues in the current draft plan. (February 2004)

Briefings in French - 2004

L'impact de la proposition de règlement communautaire concernant l'enregistrement, l'évaluation et l'autorisation des substances chimiques, ainsi que les restrictions applicables à ces substances (REACH) ne concerne pas seulement l'industrie chimique mais également, en aval, tous les utilisateurs de produits contenant des produits chimiques ou fabriqués à partir de ceux-ci. (Octobre 2004)

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