Regulatory Reform

PACIA strives to achieve its strategic regulatory goal:

• "a regulatory environment that positively supports a progressive, innovative and responsible plastics and chemicals industry through minimum effective regulation that reduces the compliance burden on industry".

In 2005, the Taskforce on Reducing Regulatory Burden on Business in its "Rethinking Regulation" report to the Prime Minister and Treasurer found that:

• “Underpinning a country’s competitive success internationally is the effectiveness of its domestic regulatory structures.  Good regulation can enhance Australia’s ability to compete and prosper economically; inappropriate or costly regulation will handicap our performance.  Like many other developed countries, Australia has undergone a relatively rapid rise in regulation over the past couple of decades, in response to a succession of social, environmental and economic needs and pressures.  In our view, business is justified in protesting at the compliance and other burdens that this regulatory inflation has entailed.” 

PACIA strongly advocated its members interests and needs through the Productivity Commission's 2006-08 study of Chemicals and Plastics Regulation.  The final report from this landmark study made substantial and significant recommendations for reform in the areas of:

• National Policy formulation and system governance
  
• National hazard and risk assessment
  
• Public health
  
• Occupational health and safety
• Transport safety
• Agricultural and veterinary chemicals
  
• Environment
  
• National security

These are all key areas of PACIA interest and engagement.

PACIA has actively worked with the Ministerial Taskforce on Chemicals and Plastics Regulatory Reform in carrying forward key Productivity Commission recommendations to the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).

Since mid 2008 COAG has delivered:

• Agreement on new chemicals and plastics governance structures
• Financial incentives to the jurisdictions through the National Partnerships Agreeement
• Deregulation implementation plan
  
• Agreed positions and directions to agencies and jurisdictions on the Productivity Commission Recommendations
  

 PACIA is actively engaged at the State/Territory, national and international levels in pressing the chemicals and plastics industries regulatory reform agenda.

PACIA's approach is "things don't just happen" -  strong industry advocacy is a prerequisite to success.

---

Regulatory Gateway

PACIA's Regulatory Gateway provides a unique toolbox of information to keep members up to date on regulatory policy, developments, and direct links to regulatory requirements, legislation, codes, consultations, and other key insights and information.