- British Retail Consortium - In Brussels

WHY BRUSSELS?

Much of the legislation that the BRC deals with at national level has its origins in Brussels. In what is often a process spanning seven years or more, lengthy negotiations take place and deals are struck in Brussels, between the numerous interest groups and policy makers around Europe.

It is crucial for the BRC has an effective presence in Brussels in order to shape the direction of these negotiations.

Commentators often say that Brussels is an ‘insider’s’ town. With 10,000 individuals engaged in lobbying activity in the city, knowing who to contact and when is a vitally important skill. The BRC Brussels team has direct, personal experience in EU policy development. The team is fluent in eight languages, and most importantly, understands how Brussels works.

WHAT DO WE DO?

Our current priorities lie in the following areas:

The debate on nutrition and health claims presents one of the greatest challenges to our businesses in the way retailers communicate with consumers;

In the area of environment we are proactively engaging in dialogue on upcoming legislation on batteries and chemicals;

Further measures in waste and Integrated Product Policy, as well as in environmental liability will need to be monitored closely;

The roundtable process within the European Multi-Stakeholder (EMS) Forum on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR);

The consumer policy agenda includes an uncertain debate on Unfair Commercial Practices, and a new Proposal which could provide a much needed boost to services across Europe.

WHAT LIES AHEAD?

2004 will see a number of significant changes in the EU political landscape. On 1 May 2004, the EU of 15 Member States becomes an EU of 25 members. The much debated and anticipated EU enlargement will become a reality. The enlarged European administrative institutions will undergo an unprecedented cultural change. New divisions, new allies and new priorities will all surface in 2004 in each of the Parliament, the Commission and the Council of Ministers.

Changes of such grandeur are also challenging for those who seek to influence the decisions taken within the European institutions. The BRC will strive to develop effective working relationships within an enlarged EU and to guide members through the new political environment.

The whole process of EU enlargement presents an opportunity for the BRC to raise the profile of the UK retail sector to the new members of the European Parliament and Commission. Explaining why our industry has been such a success story compared to the rest of Europe is our number one priority. We stress the need for flexible conditions to boost innovation and job creation and repeat the mantra of “less regulation, done better.”

The changing EU political landscape provides a wide range of possibilities for creating influence for national trade associations such as the BRC. It is essential that the UK retail sector is able to assist in shaping these developments and in so doing, cement its position as a critical partner in policy making.

Alisdair Gray,
Director, BRC Brussels