India is holding discussions with Brazil and Argentina to challenge in the WTO an EU legislation on chemicals, which will have consequences not only for Europe but also for other countries.
The three countries--India, Brazil and Argentina--are discussing ways to challenge in the WTO a European legislation that restricts imports of chemicals and formulations, a senior Commerce Ministry official said here today.
"We are talking to our collaborators in Brazil, Argentina how to challenge REACH...Something will come soon," Joint Secretary in the commerce ministry Amarendra Khatua said at a FICCI function.
REACH, or the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals regulations requires importers in the EU to pre-register the chemical they import, failing which imports would be banned till the chemicals are registered.
The move by REACH, Indian industry says, would increase the cost of exports to Europe significantly as the compliance cost is very high.
Meanwhile, the commerce ministry has asked Delhi-based Centre for WTO Studies to assess the impact of the legislation on the domestic industry.
Khatua further said India is not participating in the sectoral initiatives of the WTO for elimination or harmonisation of low level of customs tariffs in specific non-agriculture market access (or industrial goods) sectors.
Rich nations want developing countries, including India to give market access in sectors like chemicals, industrial machinery and electricals.
