ESC Opinion on "An industrial competitiveness policy for the European chemical industry". The Economic and Social Committee (ESC) has adopted its opinion on the Commission's communication on "An industrial competitiveness policy for the European chemical industry". According to the Commission communication, the European chemical industry is facing a number of majo... The Economic and Social Committee (ESC) has adopted its opinion on the Commission's communication on "An industrial competitiveness policy for the European chemical industry". According to the Commission communication, the European chemical industry is facing a number of major challenges, including: - The health and environmental implications of the manufacture and use of chemical products; - The global dimension of its market; - Its dependence on raw materials and on imported energy sources; - Its high capital intensity and dependence on research and technological development (RTD). The European Union needs to concentrate its efforts on improving the regulatory framework and effective competitiveness of the industry, promoting non-material investments and developing industrial cooperation. The ESC does not wish to establish priorities between these various areas of action but draws attention to certain areas which it feels need particular attention. In particular, the ESC calls for: - An in-depth cost/benefit analysis, based on sound scientific data, of all new regulations on the classification, labelling and use of these products; - The notification of national exceptions to Community legislation to the Commission and restriction of these to those compatible with the single market; - The effective liberalization of trade with emergent countries and search for alternatives to correct distorsions caused by different levels of environmental protection; - Encouragement of the establishment of voluntary environmental protection programmes or agreements, on the part of the chemical industry, which supplement or go beyond the minimum levels required under existing regulations; - The Commission to take sufficient account of the needs and priorities of the chemical sector when drawing up the Fifth Framework Programme for research and technological development; - Reinforcement of training and greater cooperation between industry, universities and other socio-economic players; - Better use of the support opportunities opened up by bilateral cooperation agreements and regional programmes (PHARE, TACIS, MEDA), with the direct participation of the industry and other players in the chemical sector.
