Miljöregleringar och handel. En analys av REACH - förordningen som eventuellt handelshinder.

Abstract

There is a broad empirical foundation that examines how environmental regulations can, in practice, act as barriers to trade, although often not intended. The REACH agreement (Regulation,Evaluation,Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) implemented in 2007, constitutes such an important environmental regulation with a clear focus on the chemical industry. Previous research that has examined REACH has stressed that different actors (small and medium-sized enterprises vs. large enterprises and non-EU-third-parties vs. EU- participants) may be adversely affected by the regulation, due to significant expenses. But the discussion has largely been devoid of empirical evidence. Thus, this study provide a tentative empirical analysis of the potentially adverse effects from REACH agreement. These effects are examined by descriptive statistics produced by Eurostat, and are analyzed over time to identify which one of the participants possibly correlates more with an (negative) effect from REACH. When presenting the results, other possible factors are also discussed out, since REACH is not the only possible factor affecting the participants. As an contradiction to what previous research has argued, the results shows that SME:s only seem to correlate negatively with some chemical industries. On the other hand non-EU-participants seem to correlate (negatively) with a potential importbarrier that restrict their trade with the EU.