Scottish Chambers of Commerce Welcome European Recognition that Offshore Regulation is an Industry Issue

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce have welcomed the decision of the European Parliament's President's Conference to designate the Industry and Energy Committee as the lead scrutiny body for the European Commission's proposed EU-wide health and safety regulation of offshore oil and gas industry activity.

SCC Chairman Mike Salter, who has extensive experience in the industry, commented:

'This decision is a relief.  The European Parliament's Environment Committee had asked to lead on this issue, but the Parliament's decision making body has seen sense and left it with the industry and energy committee.

'This is recognition that the oil and gas industry itself has the biggest stake in this process.  We look forward to the committee engaging with the industry in the UK, which has a health and safety regime that is second to none.'

Aberdeen and Grampian chamber of commerce Chief Executive Robert Collier commented:

'Many of our members will be directly affected by this proposed regulation.  We have already been engaging on this issue with Alyn Smith MEP as the Scot on the European Parliament's Industry and Energy Committee.  We look forward to continuing to do so