Regulatory activity, government

Because of its heavy reliance on aid for the funding of regulatory activities, the Ugandan DRA is faced with a serious problem of financial sustainability. The financial resources are not only beyond its own control, but also beyond the control of the Government itself When donors finally withdraw their funding, some of the DRA s activities may... 

The use is examined of plastics in medical applications with reference to the US market for additives for these products. The use of plastics for medical applications, which include products and components of equipment, and packaging, is expected to exceed 4 billion US dollars in the next two years, with perhaps double or treble that figure for the world market, it is forecasted. The regulatory bodies governing the use of additives are reviewed, and specific additives discussed include plasticisers, stabilisers, conductive additives, and lubricants. The production of compounds for use in the medical sector is examined with reference to the activities of leading companies, and brief details of product developments are included. 

The Army s CSDP includes all of the essential components recommended by ACOEM for an occupational and environmental health program except for participation in the development of government health and safety regulations. The lack of Army involvement in this area is appropriate because this is an industry regulatory activity. Several of the nonessential program components recommended by ACOEM, such as palliative treatment of disorders to enable a worker to complete a work shift and to obtain health education and counseling, are included in the Army s program. 

Fire codes or standards have governed urethane business for some time and have played a prominent role in the creation of building codes. Unfortunately, fire statistics currently are based on a minimum number of collected fire cases which become the base for regulatory activity that impacts industry and consumers. 

Government regulatory activities beginning in the late 1970s have touched many chemicals including plasticizers and in particular phthalates and adipates. Even earlier, domestic manufacture of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) was discontinued because of adverse effects on wildlife due to their persistence. 

The Federal government should establish policies which encourage innovation and risk-taking. The current excessive regulatory activity, hurdensome tax policies, and hi rate of inflation have increased the uncertainty about the future and reduced the potential rewards from innovation. 

ASTM International is a not-for-profit organization that provides a forum for the development and publication of voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems, and services (ASTM 2000). More than 20,000 members representing producers, users, ultimate consumers, and representatives of government and academia develop documents that serve as a basis for manufacturing, procurement, and regulatory activities. ASTM publishes standard test methods, specifications, practices, guides, classifications and terminology for materials, products, systems, and services (ASTM 2000). 

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