A
review of over 2000 individual policy and regulatory developments
in over 40 countries on five continents has yielded the following
list of ten key priority areas that will challenge companies
to adapt over the coming 12-18 months:
1.
New global chemicals management system and fundamental change
in the regime for admitting new and existing chemicals onto
the market (cost for implementing may top USD 30 billion over
the coming decade, but will streamline many aspects of international
chemicals trade)
2. Spread of GHG emissions trading schemes and other regulatory
frameworks to promote energy efficiency to combat global climate
change (energy costs will continue to rise, but more energy-efficient
technologies and infrastructure will become available)
3.
Tougher workplace safety standards to eliminate injuries and
fatalities, along with more demanding accident and illness reporting
standards
4.
Spreading of extended producer responsibility (e.g., take-back)
measures aimed at holding manufacturers responsible for the
life-cycle environmental impacts of the products they place
on the market, as well as other measures aimed at preventing
or reducing the volumes and toxicity of wastes generated
5.
Extension of industrial emergency planning and response requirements,
particularly to smaller facilities and to lower threshold quantities
of hazardous materials
6.
Stepped up initiatives aimed at improving urban air quality,
particularly in Asian countries, but also in Europe and North
America
7.
Greater measures to promote the sustainable use of water resources,
particularly in areas hard hit by ongoing drought and water
scarcity problems (industry is the fastest growing user of the
world’s freshwater resources)
8.
Tighter requirements aimed at reducing workplace noise exposures
and protection of hearing (excessive noise is viewed as the
most common occupational hazard)
9
More countries implementing mandatory environmental performance
reporting, including in countries where this has heretofore
been voluntary (France seems poised to influence EU-wide rules
in this area)
10
Broadening existing management systems to ensure achievement
of environmental protection goals and, more recently, occupational
safety and health protection objectives through the OHSAS 18000
standard.
The
Executive
Summary of the "2004 Global Forecast of Environmental Health
and Safety Policy and Regulatory Developments Impacting Industry."
Issued by ENHESA - Environmental Policy Centre (EPC) (in Pdf
format)
The
full report "2004 Global
Forecast of Environmental Health and Safety Policy and Regulatory
Developments Impacting Industry."
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