Editorial

By Luc Delagaye, ECI Chairman and Cumerio CEO

2007 saw the completion of the European Copper Institute’s opinion survey to help it better understand the perceptions and expectations of policy-makers, regulators and other stakeholders regarding copper and its industry.

This newsletter comes as a direct result of this survey which identified the need expressed by EU officials for more information about copper, and, in particular, recycling and energy saving.

The European Copper Institute (ECI) faces an exciting year in 2008 during which the industry’s Voluntary Risk Assessment, which will enable it to meet its obligations under REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals), will be finalised.

This comprehensive assessment should pave the way for the confirmation that the production and use of copper products is safe both for Europe’s environment and for the health of its citizens.

In preparation for REACH, a Copper Consortium has just been formed. To maximise efficiency, Members will jointly fund the activities necessary for the registration of copper metal and the various by-products arising from the production process.

More generally, the results of the Risk Assessment will provide a solid scientific basis on which all future references to copper in EU environment and health legislation should be based. As a metal naturally present in the environment and used in a very wide range of applications, copper is affected by a range of EU policies and legislation.

Recognising the need to be able to make sound inputs into various EU policies on energy usage, emissions trading, sustainable development and life-cycle analysis, ECI has also developed a comprehensive database to track production and energy consumption data for the key industry sectors.

This newsletter, to be published three times a year, will offer readers information on copper in general, as well as the various activities undertaken by ECI. It will communicate how the copper industry is working to put into practice its commitment to the EU’s goals, e.g. on recycling, energy efficiency, global warming, renewables and the promotion of sustainable development, as well as illustrating the contribution made by copper products to many aspects of EU citizens’ daily lives.