REACH and the BRIC Countries

Abstract

A very specific group of countries is formed by Brazil, Russia, India and China known collectively as the “BRIC” countries. All four countries are remarkable for their economic growth in the past two decades which made them important international actors. This is valid also for considerable growth in chemical production (especially in China) which accelerated the need for complex chemical regulation and participation on global instruments. However, chemical regulation in BRIC countries is experiencing significant problems (especially in India and Brazil while in lesser degree also in Russia and China) mirroring their domestic problems including lack of administrative, financial or technical capacities. For this reason, except initial interest in Russia, the response to REACH among BRIC countries was limited. This chapter explores chemical regulation in all four countries and where possible the changes into the context of REACH are placed.