Consul-General, Mr. Ryuji Noda attended the International Seminar on “Product Related Environmental Regulations (PRERs)” on February 20, 2014 at the Auditorium of Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC), organized by The Institute of Developing Economies – Japan External Trade Organization (IDE-JETRO) with the objective to share the results of the Product Related Environmental Regulations Survey with industry members in Penang.
Mr. Ikeshita, Managing Director of JETRO Kuala Lumpur, and Y.B. Mr. Phee Boon Poh, Penang State EXCO member for Welfare, Caring Society & Environment also attended.
IDE-JETRO has carried out the survey on the impact of product-related environmental regulations on firms in Penang during Dec 2012 to Feb 2013 with the view to assess the impact of PRERs imposed by importing countries on the performance of exporting firms, particularly small and medium enterprises that are connected through the global supply chain.
This survey focused on the impact of chemical-related regulations, such as the European Union Restriction on Hazardous substances directive and Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals regulation. The survey form was sent to 7,323 firms in the relevant industries, of which 369 firms responded. Among the respondents, 70% are local firms and 30% are joint venture with foreign firms. Most firms in Penang have taken some sort of actions to manage chemical ingredients.
In order to comply with the emergence of more PRERs especially in the developed countries, an expert recommended that some strategies, including information sharing should be considered.
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