European Briefing - 08 April 2005

CEEMET Health & Safety Committee discuss Silica

CEEMET's health and safety committee have expressed their deep disapproval of a decision by the European Commission to undertake a negotiation of a 'Social Dialogue Agreement' to control certain workplace exposure to silicacious sand. The negotiations have so far been driven by sand producers and sectoral trade groups such as foundries.

CEEMET has been concerned that these groups do not have the ability to deliver compliance with such an agreement and they do not represent the broader industries who can be effected by this agreement. CEEMET members will be meeting with CAEF – the pan European organisation representing foundries - to press home our concerns and will take-up observer status in the forthcoming negotiations.

For further information please contact, Gary Booton Director, Health, Safety & Environment gbooton@eef.org.uk

Italy becomes latest member state to say ‘yes’ to EU Constitution

Italy has this week become the latest country to ratify the EU’s Constitutional Treaty.
The Treaty can only enter into force if it is ratified by every Member State by October 2006; with each ratifying according to their own constitutional traditions.

Italy has joined Lithuania, Hungary and Slovenia, who have already ratified the Treaty through their respective parliaments.

Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Germany (where the German constitution bars the holding of referendums), Latvia, Malta, Slovak Republic and Sweden will also ratify through the parliamentary route.

Of the remaining Member States the Czech Republic is still debating whether to hold a referendum; Spain voted ‘yes’ to the Constitution in a national referendum in February; and the following member states will hold referendums in the months ahead:

Denmark (27 September 2005)
France (29 May 2005)
Ireland (Expected October 2005)
Luxembourg (10 July 2005)
The Netherlands (1 June 2005)
Poland (25 September 2005)
Portugal (9 October 2005)
UK (Expected Spring 2006)