Food for Thought: Dutch interest representation in EU substances policy

In December 2006, the EU's government ministers and the European Parliament agreed upon a new system for managing chemicals policy in the EU. This REACH regulation is the result of ten years of heated debate between governments, industry and environmental and health NGO's, making REACH amongst the most contested and fiercely lobbied EU dossiers ever.

Upon request of the Dutch Ministry of the Environment, CESP has evaluated how the Dutch government has attempted to influence the REACH negotiations. In a reconstruction of the Dutch strategy, the pitfalls and the lessons learned, the Clingendael evaluation covers the entire negotiation period.

One chapter focuses on the inter-ministerial coordination between several government departments involved. This process was at times cumbersome, due to the complexity of the dossier, the variety of interests at stake and the time-pressure involved.

The study identifies several lessons learned, including the importance of never underestimating the relevance of the European Parliament. The report also offers suggestions how to balance conflicting interests within the government organisation as an integral part of the EU policy process.