Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on 18 December 2006. REACH contains a number of reviews to be carried out ranging from entry into force to 12 years into the REACH regime.

One specific review, set out in Article 138(6), requires the Commission to carry a review by 1 June 2012 ‘to assess whether or not to amend the scope of this Regulation to avoid overlaps with other relevant EU provisions. On the basis of that review, the Commission may, if appropriate, present a legislative proposal.’

To give your input, please go to:
http://www.reachscope.eu/stakeholder-input.html

The Interim Evaluation of FP7 is being carried out by a group of independent experts, supported by an extensive base of evidence. In order to provide the experts with a range of opinions and views about the functioning and achievements of FP7, this interactive consultation has been set up to allow for contributions both from those with direct experience of the FP, as well as any groups or individuals who wish to give their views.

The survey addresses stakeholders including major users of FP7, research organisations and firms.

For more information and to participate click here.

• a limit to weekly working time, which must not exceed 48 hours on average, including any overtime
• a minimum daily rest period, of 11 consecutive hours in every 24
• a rest break during working time, if the worker is on duty for longer than six hours
• a minimum weekly rest period of 24 uninterrupted hours for each seven-day period,  which is added to the 11 hours' daily rest
• paid annual leave, of at least four weeks per year
• extra protection in the case of night work (for example, average working hours must not exceed 8 hours per 24-hour period; night workers must not perform heavy or dangerous work for longer than 8 hours in any 24-hour period; there should be a right to free health assessments and in certain situations, to transfer to day work).

The aim of this survey is to establish how far the rules and exceptions set out by the Directive match with the actual needs of businesses and workers.

Please return your questionnaire by 23 August 2010 to claudia.lock-fuerst@enterpriseeuropesw.org.uk or arrange to discuss by telephone 01275 370 810 with Claudia.

Enterprise Europe Network actively engages South West companies to receive feedback on selected consultations via telephone or one-to-one meetings. Companies are invited to give us their opinion on EU policies and influence their direction. Our findings will be submitted to the European Commission to influence the need to adapt existing legislation or draft new legislation to the benefit of UK businesses.

The consultation will be open until 30 July 2010, after which all contributions will be published on the Internet. The results will also be analysed and summarised in a report and published in September.

The responses to the consultation will inform the Commission on how to ensure that EU policies and programmes are fit for the active involvement of the cultural and creative industries. Responses would be very welcome from all those who attended the event on EU support for the Creative industries, which SWUKBO organised with Poole Borough Council on 17 March.

The aim of this consultation is to collect opinions and information on various issues in the application of the GPSD and actions envisaged by the Commission supposed to bring solutions to these issues.