Competition heating up over EU Chemical Authority

New office could be set up in Helsinki in 2007

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Although the chemicals legislation of the European Union is anything but complete, an intense competition is underway in Helsinki over where in the city the promised European Chemical Authority should be situated.
      About ten companies have offered the city dozens of locations for the office. The aim is to decide on a building for the authority already this spring.
     
Finland was given the Chemical Authority as a consolation prize of sorts for being denied the European Food Authority, which went to Italy. However, the institution cannot begin operations until EU chemicals legislation is passed, which could take until 2007.
      The financing of the new office is also in its early stages. This year the European Commission has budgeted just EUR 6 million for preliminary work, and just under EUR 12 million is planned for next year.
     
Heikki Salmi, an adviser at the European Commission’s Directorate General for Enterprise, does not see the meagre funding that Helsinki has received so far as a problem.
      Pessimists say that the establishment of the authority is uncertain, because the proposed chemicals legislation has led to massive disputes in the EU, and might not get passed. Nevertheless, most in Brussels believe that the legislation will be approved.
      The lack of legislation also means that no staff can be hired yet.
     
However, the European Commission already has 20 people working on preparations for the authority.
      A massive computer system is under preparation, as well as rules of operation for officials and industry. The computer system will have to maintain information of more than 30,000 chemicals and their registration.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  European Commission supports strong chemical authority (20.1.2005)
  Expansion of Chemicals Authority responsibilities receives support within EU (18.5.2004)
  France and Sweden disagree on size of EU Chemicals Authority to be situated in Helsinki (17.5.2004)

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