Global Manufacturers at Risk of Product Environmental Regulations

BRUSSELS and WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Manufacturers are increasingly exposed to new product regulations.  Environmental issues are, more than ever, making it to boardrooms.  These are some of the conclusions drawn by Enhesa from its annual review of environmental regulatory and policy developments that occurred globally in 2010.

During 2010, Enhesa reviewed the environmental regulatory and policy developments in 90 countries and 68 regional jurisdictions and identified  just under 11,000 environmental regulatory and policy developments relevant to business.  This represents an 18% increase over 2009.  Since Enhesa's first annual regulatory forecast, five years ago, there has been a consistent increase in regulatory and policy developments throughout the world.  There was almost 3 times more regulatory developments in 2010 than in 2006.  As Thierry Dumortier, Enhesa's Managing Director puts it, "The environmental regulatory pressure on business is increasing year after year prompting many companies to revisit how they ensure regulatory compliance and avoid business disruption and financial liabilities.  Assuming that local employees have the appropriate knowledge and resources to ensure compliance is a dangerous supposition in a globalized economy.  Sustainability issues are increasingly perceived as competitive issues and becoming part of corporate strategies."

At the start of 2011, Enhesa counted over 3460 outstanding regulatory proposals and initiatives that are likely to result in new regulatory obligations for business in the coming years. Product requirements, air emissions/energy efficiency and waste management are the areas where most new legislation and policy is being developed.

In terms of product-related regulations in particular, Enhesa has identified a rapid increase in the number of regulatory developments over the past 7 years.  There is not a single product that is not regulated in at least one country.  Enhesa's research indicates that certain products, considered safe in one country, can be prohibited in another.  Countries increase the administrative burdens facing manufacturers and importers through, for example, product registrations, annual reporting and product labeling requirements.  New in 2010 were the regulations on nanotechnology in France, the European Union and the Netherlands.  

About Enhesa - ENHESA is the leading provider of global environmental, health and safety regulatory compliance assurance support to business.  Enhesa covers EHS regulatory and policy issues in 150 countries and jurisdictions.  

More Information

Copy of complete study :  http://www.enhesa.com/en/service/docs/Enhesa_2011Forecast.pdf

More Enhesa Information: http://www.enhesa.com/en/service/monitoring.aspx

For more information: [email protected]

SOURCE Enhesa