More universal environmental laws urged<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A University of Indonesia law expert is calling
\nfor more universal environmental legislation to stop countries
\nfrom using strict environmental rules as a way of protecting
\ntheir local industries against foreign competition.<\/p>\n
Eman Rajagukguk, a staff lecturer at the university's School
\nof Law, said different environmental laws have also meant higher
\ntransaction costs for exporters and importers.<\/p>\n
Eman stated his case for harmonizing regulations to bolster
\ninternational trade, encourage market expansion and
\nspecialization, which, he said, would strengthen economies and
\nimprove competitiveness.<\/p>\n
Both governments and manufacturers would benefit from this, he
\ntold a seminar on environmental laws and their implementation on
\nMonday.<\/p>\n
The seminar, organized by the Indonesian Center for
\nEnvironmental Law (ICEL), was attended by P.L. Coutrier of the
\nEnvironmental Impact Management Agency, Mas Achmad Santosa of
\nICEL and students at the University of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Eman in his paper argued that Indonesia should tighten its own
\nenvironmental regulations in line with the trend now seen in many
\nparts of the world.<\/p>\n
Though it could result in greater manufacturing costs, he
\nsaid, it is necessary if Indonesian manufacturers are to
\npenetrate the international market, where strict environmental
\nrestrictions are increasingly becoming the norm.<\/p>\n
He suggested that the government provide manufacturers with
\nincentives to compensate for the additional costs of complying
\nwith amended environmental regulations.<\/p>\n
He said countries that impose strict and costly environmental
\nregulations for their industries would impose the same
\nrestrictions against imports, and would not allow the entry of
\nimports that failed to meet their criteria.<\/p>\n
Thus, he said, manufacturers from countries with loose
\nenvironmental regulations will find it difficult to sell their
\ngoods.<\/p>\n
Eman acknowledged that the imposition of strict environmental
\nregulations has become an effective tool in protecting domestic
\nindustries against imports.<\/p>\n
The law professor said his proposal to harmonize environmental
\nregulations would be difficult to carry out due to varying
\nenvironmental, social and economic conditions around the world.<\/p>\n
He noted strong opposition coming from countries with strict
\nenvironmental laws, such as the United States, who fear that they
\nwill be forced to relax their own standards.<\/p>\n
Given the increasing consumer preference for more
\nenvironmentally-friendly products, he said, strict environmental
\nregulations would not discourage investors as many have feared.
\nOn the contrary, he added, products from countries with strict
\nenvironmental regulations would have an improved reputation and
\ncompetitive advantage. (pwn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/more-universal-environmental-laws-urged-1447893297",
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