Newsline - September 2000

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

The FMCEC's Council met in Brussels in June. Separate meetings were held with Mr Fernandez-Ruiz, Director of the Enterprise Directorate - General (DG-ENTR) and Mr Anselmann, Deputy Head for Mechanical / Electrical Telecom Equipment within that Directorate. I must say I was encouraged by their understanding of issues we face as European manufacturers. There was a clear proactive bias to work with us. Responsibilities of the DG-ENTR include Enterprise Policy, Entreprenuership, Innovation-Research, Services/Tourism and the Environment.

Our discussions spanned a wide spectrum of issues and opportunities including emissions, noise, environment, roading, compliance and globalisation. Mr Fernandez-Ruiz was particularly interested in a comprehensive approach to environmental issues. Interestingly they saw, in the future, that the European Commission would emphasise guidelines and goals, with industry even more involved in the detailed planning and implementation. The Commission would move away from detailed rulemaking itself. I think we should welcome this approach as it develops and be ready to proactively increase our participation individually and through the FMCEC. Who better to develop a feasible, cost effective, approach to achieve the goal than the industry which will be affected?

BOB SUTTON