CIA cheers EC
23 Feb 2005
The UK Chemical Industries Association has welcomed a new plan for economic growth and employment issued by incoming European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso.
The plan includes a 'balanced agreement on REACH… which takes into account the impact on competitiveness and innovation, and on SMEs'.
Barroso's goal is to boost GDP within the EU by 3% by 2010, and create over 6million new jobs. Previous policies have fallen short of their projected results, the EC believes. 'What we are proposing is to release Europe's enormous economic potential,' Barroso said. 'This is needed to maintain the European model of society we value so much.'
The action plan focuses on completing the Single Market; ensuring open and competitive markets inside and outside Europe; and reducing the administrative costs of regulation. Details of the strategy include a Community patent; increasing R&D spending overall to 3% of GDP; and promoting energy efficient and low-emission technologies.
All this is welcome news to the CIA. The association says it 'commends Mr Barroso's highly pragmatic approach to EU chemicals policy,' and fully endorses his emphasis on striking a balance between competitiveness and environmental and health improvements.
'All credit is due Mr Barroso for his bold and comprehensive strategy. The chemical industry looks forward to helping him make it a reality,' says business environment director Stephen Elliott.
