Chemical sector worries about feeling the squeeze from EU directives

A European Union (EU) decree concerning environmental protection standards may be used by the EU in the battle to gain unfair control of the chemicals market, claim representatives of the chemical industry. The foreign trade deficit in this sector has already reached zl. 22 billion. The directive numbered 96/61, designed to combat unfair competition from companies which allow high levels of pollution in a bid to reduce costs, states that p roducers of chemicals must be verified by local authorities. While the regulation will not come into effect in Poland until 2007, it seems that most domestic producers of chemicals might face serious difficulties in meeting the rigorous criteria of Best Available Technology (BAT) standards set by the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) office in Seville. As head of Zaklady Azotowe Tarnow Ryszard Scigala put it, all will depend on "harmonious cooperation between local authorities and industry". (Puls Biznesu, p. 5) M.K.