22/05/2009

HLG on the Competitiveness - Chemical industry

The final report reflects the outcome of the deliberations of the High Level Group on the Competitiveness of the Chemicals Industry in the European Union chaired by Commission Vice-President Verheugen which was set up with Commission Decision 2007/418/EC of 14 June 2007 to address issues that determine the competitiveness of the Community chemicals industry.

In particular the Group had the task to conduct economic and statistical analysis of the factors determining the structural changes in the chemicals industry as well as other factors that influence its competitive position. Based on this it had the mandate to formulate a set of sector-specific policy recommendations addressed at policy makers at the Community and national level, industry and civil society organisations (see Annex 1 to this Report).

A great deal of additional information on the work of this High Level Group is available on the internet:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/chemicals/hlg/hlg2/hlg_index.htm
For specific questions please contact:
European Commission
Enterprise and Industry Directorate-General
Chemicals Unit
B-1049 Brussels
E-mail:

COP 15 - European metalworkers on the road from Copenhagen

For the European Metalworkers Federation climate change is a dangerous reality which demands a social response at international as well as European, national and regional/local and company levels. We believe that a drive towards new industrial strategies based on low carbon technologies and products can offer opportunities but also challenges for the future of industrial workplaces in Europe.

EFFAT's view on sustainable development

Sustainable development seeks to "meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” in the sense of balance between economic, social and environmental elements. Still, increasingly rapid global changes, from the melting of the icecaps to growing energy and resource demand, are challenging this objective.