The International Centre for Legal Compliance (ICLC)
Areas Of Interest
Carbon Law
The regulation of carbon emissions is one of the most dynamic areas of international legal regulation. The move to a low carbon economy involves companies and organisations working to reduce carbon emissions. Governments are also encouraging the development low carbon technologies. In particular, the growth of Carbon Capture and Storage [CCS] has already provoked the discussion about the international regulatory framework necessary to govern this market.
Major financial initiatives include:
- The growth of international trading in carbon credits, with markets already established in Chicago and London.
- Investment in incubators that specialise in low carbon technology
- Various renewable energy tax/tarrif schemes for carbon saving
- Incentives for CCS
Product Safety
As global manufacture becomes multilocational, businesses need to consider regulation in many different jurisdictions with independent regulatory regimes. It is now common for Design, Research and Development, Production, and Product Testing to take place in different countries in the Far East. Further complications arise when components are sourced from disparate locations.
New Regulatory obligations have been imposed upon Manufacturers, Importers and Distributors by the European General Product Safety Directive and the Toys Safety Directive. Many goods destined for different markets are manufactured in the same factories, causing production difficulties.
Health and Safety
Health and Safety in China and India is an area of emerging importance, as global manufacturers relocate their production facilitates. A history of poor implementation of regulations, corruption and collusion between factory owners and local officials and a lack of education and training has resulted in high levels of fatal accidents at work and other workplace disasters.
New regulations and enforcement bodies have been introduced in China and India, with further developments anticipated in other Far Eastern, African and South American countries such as the Vietnam Office for Sustainable Development or within the Brazilian Unified Health System [SUS], as producers look to new markets for cheaper and more efficient methods of product development.
China has ratified the ILO convention 155 pledging to ensure hazard minimisation, safe systems of work and adequate employee protection and is increasing the influence of the State Administration of Work Safety [SAWS]. The new Production Safety Law, adopted in 2002 puts responsibility for production on the shoulders of top management. Certified Safety Engineers (CSE's) are now required by for activates with serious safety implications.
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