Case Studies

Do 3rd Countries Influence EU Decision-Making?

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Over 20 plus years, I been re-assured that the 3rdcountries sway  EU policy and law-making. My problem, I just don’t know when it really worked. If you know when it has,  please let me know. I worked as a desk officer on a file where many people are adamant that the intervention of the USTR … Read more

A flight plan for a REACH Restriction

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A flight plan for a REACH  Restriction Poland tabled a proposal to restrict methanol in windscreen washing fluid. There was a spate of people drinking the windscreen washing fluid thinking it contained alcohol. They were poisoned. Observations Putting forward a REACH Restriction is a time-consuming and resource-intensive process. It’s obviously not embarked on lightly There are … Read more

Do you use the 8 week post-proposal window?

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  The European Parliament has a very useful ‘Legislative Train Schedule’ (link). It tracks some of the key legislative proposals from the Juncker Commission. I wanted to see how much feedback some of these key proposals got. Especially, I wanted to see how many people used the ‘post proposal 8 – week feedback’ window.   … Read more

Can you get a classification re-looked at?

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From time to time, you may disagree with your substance classification. You want the classification to be re-looked at. The EU system is very accommodating. It is designed for these eventualities. After all, given the inherent problem of knowledge, vital information may have been overlooked during the classification. Officials are loath to second guess scientific … Read more