SPEECH/01/153
Erkki LIIKANEN
Member of the European Commission responsible for Enterprise
and the Information Society
Remarks at the Chemicals Strategy
Stakeholders' Conference
Stakeholders' Conference on Chemicals Stragegy
Brussels, 2 April 2001
Introduction and Link with Enterprise Policy
Less than 2 months ago the Commission approved its White Paper on
a sustainable chemicals strategy.
This is a far-reaching policy document setting out the essential components of a
new system for the registration, evaluation and risk management of chemicals.
The implementation of the new strategy requires the full commitment of all
stakeholders who, without exception, have an overriding interest in the successful
implementation of the new arrangements.
Just over a week ago the European Council meeting in Stockholm, adopted a
number of important conclusions.
Referring to the need to foster entrepreneurship, the Heads of State stressed (I
quote) “businesses and citizens need a regulatory environment which is clear,
simple, effective and workable in a rapidly changing global marketplace. This
means better consultation on proposed regulation, assessment of the impact of
regulations” (end quote), as well as schemes and systems for the improvement of
existing legislation.
I mention this in order to explain why the implementation of the new chemicals
regime, and especially the framing of the follow-up legislation, has wider
ramifications than how we deal with a particular sector.
Chemicals in Europe
Chemicals and the basic science of chemistry are vital. They are part of our daily
lives. Indeed, it is an industry which means a lot to Europe when considered in
terms of output, balance of trade, employment, and consumer benefits.
The economic and social significance of the industry in Europe means that all
stakeholders have a special interest in its progress. However, we have a clear
responsibility to provide it with a clear and predictable framework.
Chemistry in Europe has a proud history, with many Nobel prize winners. The
decision to be taken in the course of the next 12 months must also secure its future.
Assuring sustainable development and maintaining global competitiveness are the
key issues. Effective measures to restore innovation are also an essential part of
the new system.
Stakeholder Co-operation
I believe that there will be broad support for the goals set out in the Commission’s
paper. The key challenge at this stage is to achieve these goals in a balanced way
with benefits to health or environment, and in terms of confidence.
We must also establish structures which will allow all the stakeholders to play their
part in an all inclusive process within which they can co-operate to share information
and work together to resolve their differences.
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Greater co-operation can lead to a situation where a pro-active approach will be
taken by stakeholders themselves to deal with certain risks. For companies, big
and small, this is part of corporate social responsibility which was welcomed by the
Heads of State in Stockholm as essential to modernising the European social
model.
Managing Risk
This is not to diminish in any way the responsibility that rests with public authorities.
The Commission will be rigorous when called upon to apply the precautionary
principle. Where there is a need to address unacceptable risks we will act swiftly
and decisively.
There are different possible approaches to managing dangerous substances. In this
field, my conviction is that there is a solid route, consisting of us remaining faithful to
a science-based approach. This is not only a question of avoiding unwelcome trade
disputes and tensions at the international level. It means also objectivity and
proportionality in our decisions. Without these, we run the risk that confidence in
public decision-makers could be lost.
Sustainable Development
Now let me turn to the central question of sustainable development. Chemicals
provides us with an opportunity to translate sustainability into practice; to move
from theory to reality.
Our essential economic and social goals require that Europe’s economy must
become the most competitive in the world. The expectations of our citizens require
that Europe’s chemical industry must become the most sustainable in the world.
This means establishing a framework for the management of chemicals which will
allow the economic, social and environmental requirements to be in balance. In
practice this means building a system to deliver:

flourishing and innovative businesses, capable of competing on a global scale;

a highly skilled and motivated workforce, confident in its own creative ability, and
with good career prospects in industry;

the guarantee of the highest levels of safety to workers, downstream users, as
well as for all customers and consumers;

greater awareness and commitment to avoiding damage to the environment and
health;

a society which has full confidence in the risk assessment system, knowing that
risks will be identified, and addressed objectively and rapidly.
A cost-effective system
This conference marks the beginning of the process of working with you, the
stakeholders, to bring the new system to reality.
We are here today to help put in place the building blocks of a new structure whose
design has been provided by the Commission’s White Paper.
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Among the stakeholders which will have an essential place in the new
arrangements will be large multinational chemical companies. Their impact and
influence in ensuring smooth implementation is vital. But let us not forget also the
40.000 SMEs, many of which have little idea at present about how they will be
affected by the new system.
Our task is to ensure that they can be involved in the process; that they can be
convinced about the justification of the strategy; that they see the new requirements
as essential to securing a better future. If they see only increased bureaucracy and
not benefits, they should be loosing confidence in our future system.
This will require an effective communication campaign. In line with the conclusions
at the Stockholm Summit, it will require also extensive consultation on the
implementation of the legislation and a suitable impact assessment.
Concluding Remarks
Chemicals is the cross roads, where major Community policies meet health, safety,
competitiveness, innovation and environment. And all within the essential
framework of the internal market.
The Commission has set out objectives which are ambitious and justified. We now
look to Parliament and to the Council to find the essential political balances, which
will allow all the stakeholders to feel that their concerns have been met. But we
look to them also to help us build a structure that will be workable.
It would be naïve to believe that genuine, and at times, differences of opinions will
not emerge during the discussions here today. My plea is for an openness of spirit
towards other points of view, and for rigour in the analysis of the issues which I
know are complex.
We have a unique opportunity also to start to build a consensus on the problems
and on the solutions.
Thank you all for coming here today; a special thanks to the speakers and to the
moderators.
I look forward to seeing the results of your deliberations.
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