THE Delegation of the European Commission in the Philippines (EC) has urged Philippine exporters to its member-states to register chemical substances contained in their products to be able to qualify for the new rules adopted on June 1.

In a statement, the EC announced the adoption of the new law on chemicals and their safe use titled as REACH (registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals) that should pass EU standards.

“REACH has implications for all chemical substances, manufactured in or exported to the EU, including those contained in articles/products,” the EC statement said.

At the same time, Ambassador Alistair Macdonald, head of the European Commission in the Philippines, has urged Philippine businessmen in Mindanao to explore the EU market through the extensive Internet-based “Export Helpdesk.”

“If you are interested in exporting a specific product to the European market, you can go to this web site, and find there full information about the trading flows to Europe for that product, globally or in individual national markets,” said Macdonald in a recent speech before members of the Iligan Chamber of Commerce held in Iligan City.

He added that through the export help desk, Philippine exporters can find out the tariff rate, possible quotas and other regulatory EU requirements on specific products to be exported there.

Meanwhile, the new law on chemical registration requires EU exporters to preregister chemicals applied on their products through the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) from June 1 to December 1 this year so they will not lose access to the EU market.

The EC added that preregistration applies to existing or “phase-in” substances and articles or produces intended to be released and manufactured in or exported to the EU in quantities of one ton or more per year.

“New or ‘nonphase-in’ chemicals have to be fully registered immediately,” the EC said. “Full registration requires that companies consolidate data regarding the health and environmental properties and risks of their chemical and are able to demonstrate that it can be used safely.”

The new law also introduced the new safety data sheet and new information obligations for chemicals and substances “of very high concern” that include carcinogens; mutagens or toxic to reproduction or persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic. The REACH law has also included obligations related to classification, labeling, authorizations and restrictions.

DOMESTIC manufacturers will be seeking an official scrutiny of the books of accounts of the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), independent power producers (IPPs) and other power industry players by the Commission on Audit (COA) to determine who among them are really making huge profits and are to be blamed for high power costs.

THE national government estimates that there is at least $3.76 billion worth of projects in the pipeline for funding by the World Bank (WB) from 2008 to 2010 and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 2008 and 2009.

THE Philippines has underscored the crucial role that can be played by biotechnology in resolving the food-security problem confronting nations all over the world during the food summit organized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in Italy.

BELIEVING that the bill seeking the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) would not be approved before Congress adjourns sine die on June 13, a militant legislator proposed a compromise that before going on break, Congress should reaffirm the Department of Agrarian Reform’s budget for 2008.

THE board of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has overturned its previous policy giving full blanket authority to the secretary of labor to approve the renewal of license of manpower agencies sending Filipino labor abroad.

THE Delegation of the European Commission in the Philippines (EC) has urged Philippine exporters to its member-states to register chemical substances contained in their products to be able to qualify for the new rules adopted on June 1.

SEMIRARA ISLAND, Antique—Amid opposition and issues raised by environmental groups against the use of coal to fuel power generating facilities, the Department of Energy admits that removing coal-fired power plants in the generation mix could result in power shortages.