Chemicals caught in the draft Text: Pavel Antonov A new framework chemicals law for the Republic of Serbia was presented in March to the ministry of environment by a team of experts assembled by the REC. The experts reviewed Serbian chemicals legislation and transposed seven EU directives into Serbian law. The work was part of the project Assistance in Environmental Law Drafting in South Eastern Europe (SEE). The REC’s Environmental Law Programme has supported the development of domestic environmental legislation through assistance in legal drafting, targeting regional workshops and exchange of experience. Inspired by the prospect of entry into the European Union, governments in SEE are eager to overhaul their outdated chemicals legislation. Coming up with laws that fit their specific situations, however, is a daunting task, said Tsvetelina Philipova, who managed the project for the REC. The project most directly benefits ministries responsible for environmental law drafting, she said. Funding came through the Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilisation Programme for the West Balkans (CARDS) as part of the Regional Environmental Recon-struction Programme for South Eastern Europe (REReP). The project methodology was based on consultations with ministries. Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and Serbia and Montenegro, including Kosovo, benefited from the project on regional and country/entity levels. Workshops for senior officials and legal experts of environmental ministries were held in Serbia and FYR Macedonia and study visits were organised for them to Slovenia and Germany. A team of experts prepared a Study on the Legislative Framework of the Chemicals Regulation for the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. A new chemicals law is now under preparation. Based on the successful work on chemicals in the Republic of Serbia and in FYR Macedonia, and taking into account that Montenegrin legislation is similar to the Serbian, the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Montenegro requested the REC’s help in drafting a chemicals law, along with related sub-laws, in that republic.

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