Background
Environmental legislation in the EU has
moved on substantially from simply regulating matters related to
endangered species, or the protection of the ozone layer, to playing
a vital role in every day matters involving economic operators of
all types. Indeed, overseas traders have to increasingly keep up
with EU environmental provisions in their daily activities if they
are interested in exporting to any of the EU Member States. Since
the Treaty of Amsterdam came into force (May 1999) environmental
considerations have been gradually incorporated into every main
area of EU policy. For instance, there are technical regulations
covering:
- waste from electrical and electronic
equipment (WEEE);
- packaging waste;
- end-of-life vehicles;
- toys and textiles controlling the
use of azodyes
- the introduction of watertight
traceability and labeling criteria
for genetically modified organisms (GMOs); and
- the elimination from the EU market,
in 2009, of all products containing
hydrobromofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons.
Chemicals: The Environmental Council of the EU has for some time
now been involved in a controversial debate on the introduction
of a single regulatory framework of registration, risk-evaluation
and authorisation for chemical substances (the "REACH" system).
The REACH system will, when introduced, affect all chemicals sold
in the EU by transferring responsibility for assessing and evaluating
thousands of chemicals onto economic operators, thus increasing
their burdens. It is expected that downstream users – e.g.,
those making toys and textiles – will also have a role to
play.
Office equipment: Manufacturers of office
equipment should also be aware of the Energy Star Programme, introduced
in 2001, which concerns energy-efficient labelling programmes for
their equipment. This labelling programme is intended to allow consumers
to identify energy-efficient appliances and thus result in energy
savings. As with the EU's eco-labeling scheme, participation in
this scheme is voluntary. Some of the more environmentally conscious
EU Member States also operate national-level ecologically sound
labelling schemes.
Noise levels: The EU Commission has introduced
a framework Directive to cover equipment intended for use outdoors,
covering more than 50 products. The Directive sets maximum permissible
noise emissions levels and labeling requirements on equipment including
cranes and other construction equipment, lawnmowers, lawn trimmers
and certain types of hand-held equipment.
Detergents: The EU Commission has proposed
a new Regulation to consolidate the existing Community legislation
on the biodegradability and labelling of detergents. While the fundamental
policy in this area remains unchanged, this new proposal is intended
to enhance environmental protection by consolidating existing legislation
and to harmonise the rules concerning detergents within the Internal
Market. Pesticides, already heavily regulated, continue to come
under environmental scrutiny by the EU institutions.
How can we help?
We can provide assistance in identifying
the appropriate environmental legislation affecting businesses trading
with the EU.
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