The EU forces America to tidy up its act if it wants to or not

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Just this year, US manufacturers of such goods as chemicals, cars and cosmetics have been confronted with EU regulations that force a choice:

Either conform to the EU's standards of pre-emptive screening for toxicity--far tougher than US standards--or risk sacrificing the European market, which, with 450 million people, is now larger than that of the United States.

In the process, the European Union is challenging US presumptions of unilateral decision-making on issues with tremendous consequences for American companies and consumers, treading on ground that has long been considered sacred turf.

"Americans are in for a rude shock," says Clyde Prestowitz, a former Reagan Commerce Department official and author of Rogue Nation: American Unilateralism and the Failure of Good Intentions. "Other players are establishing their own standards, and they have the muscle to make them stick. We are headed into a new era."

Last summer, while Americans were focused on the worsening crisis in Iraq and the intensifying presidential campaign, the US chemical industry was consumed by plans at the EU's Environment Commission to complete the details of a proposed regulation known as REACH--Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals. For the $500 billion chemical industry, REACH threatens a revolution in chemical regulation--upending decades-long practices that were pioneered in the United States.

One of the reasons Bush wouldn't sign Kyoto agreement on climate change, is because he said that he didn't want american companies being dictated to by other countries. Tough, seem that they are doing it anyway

Originally posted by Netchicken


Either conform to the EU's standards of pre-emptive screening for toxicity--far tougher than US standards--or risk sacrificing the European market, which, with 450 million people, is now larger than that of the United States.

In the process, the European Union is challenging US presumptions of unilateral decision-making on issues with tremendous consequences for American companies and consumers, treading on ground that has long been considered sacred turf.

"Americans are in for a rude shock," says Clyde Prestowitz, a former Reagan Commerce Department official and author of Rogue Nation: American Unilateralism and the Failure of Good Intentions. "Other players are establishing their own standards, and they have the muscle to make them stick. We are headed into a new era."

Last summer, while Americans were focused on the worsening crisis in Iraq and the intensifying presidential campaign, the US chemical industry was consumed by plans at the EU's Environment Commission to complete the details of a proposed regulation known as REACH--Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals. For the $500 billion chemical industry, REACH threatens a revolution in chemical regulation--upending decades-long practices that were pioneered in the United States.

One of the reasons Bush wouldn't sign Kyoto agreement on climate change, is because he said that he didn't want american companies being dictated to by other countries. Tough, seem that they are doing it anyway



If Us companies want to sell their products in the EU they have to comply to EU regulations, whats the problem with that. Any EU countries selling in the states have to get US govenment approval too. Thats just the way it is!

I see no problem with this. Such regulations being implemented is a good thing. I support the EU in this matter, most others will with time as well, I expect.

I agree, with Skyfox2.

If the US government wont sign up to Kyoto, then use other means (i.e the backdoor method!!). We cant go on polluting in the name of profit, something has to be done.

Spacemunkey

Bush insists on using the front door, will force open the front door with cruise missile if necessary