Concern for the competitiveness of the European chemical industry and the impacts of the renewing chemicals legislation on the operating conditions of the field is prompting large-scale cooperation. Both employer and employee organizations in the EU member countries are looking for better ways to exert influence on issues that improve the industry’s operational environment.

In autumn 2004 the chemical industry was the first significant industry to initiate a European-level, formal social dialogue as acknowledged by the EU Commission. The parties of this dialogue are the European Chemical Employers’ Group (ECEG) and the Chemical and Energy Workers’ Federation (EMCEF).