(85c) Towards a Level Playing Field - Permitting and Regulatory Compliance Around the World

Decades ago, industries in the United States, Europe and other “developed” countries were criticized – rightly or wrongly – for “exporting pollution” by locating manufacturing facilities in developing countries which did not have mature regulatory systems for the management of the environment, social responsibility and occupational safety.  Today, virtually every country worldwide has its own regulatory system which is comparable to the systems in the US and Europe.  In addition, the global finance community has developed its own standards which have served to establish a consistent level of standards which is also comparable to the standards in the US and Europe.  This presentation will show examples of these global systems and standards in comparison to the US and Europe.