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The legislation context
Since environmental issues have started to be relevant from
the political viewpoint, the topics once restricted to the most
radical fringes are now commonplace in political programs and
unquestioned issues for legislation bills, rather often indifferent
to feasibility or negative economic consequences.
This is clearly shown by the difficulties met by chemical industry
whenever trying to implement new locations, development, changes,
sometimes making it impossible to find a favorable solution.
Too often rulers aim at tuning in with public opinion and are
convinced that chemistry does not intend or is incapable to
appropriately manage the environmental issue: this originates
unilateral policies, often purposelessly penalizing.
Environmental issues are now discussed at the highest world
levels (as occurred for instance in Kyoto and Buenos Aires)
as well as at the highest assemblies (United Nations Organization),
where decisions are taken that directly involve chemical activities
under all view.
These decisions are sooner or later unavoidably translated
into real policies (Agenda 21, Ethical Code UNEP, PIC): it is
imperative for the chemical industry to prevent and anticipate
such initiatives.
Contrary to the current opinion chemistry is strongly interested
in the achievement of the highest levels of environmental protection;
in many cases these have already been achieved but unfortunately
the public opinion is not aware of this.
The Responsible Care initiative, provided it is appropriately
diffused, should not fail to make easier the relationship with
public administrators and the public at large.
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