The comparative political economy of regulating chemicals

Abstract

From the outset, it is essential to appreciate that the regulation of any particular chemical or hazard is inevitably only a sub-set of a larger universe of problems and dynamics involved in regulating hundreds of substances and products where health and safety and risk—benefit issues are involved. The areas of regulation track the full cycle of production (often with separate governmental agencies) namely, the environment, the workplace, transportation systems, and export and import control regimes. There now exists an extensive literature that directly addresses key issues about regulation of this kind (Bardach and Kagan, 1982; Burton and McCullough, 1983; Lowrance, 1976; Wilson, 1980). Such analysis exists under various labels which are themselves indicative of the breadth of the concerns and variables involved. Thus, issues are examined under the general umbrella concept of social or health and safety regulation, or under such phrases as the regulation of hazardous substances or risk analysis. This literature has examined both the substance and processes involved in regulating substances or phenomena as diverse as nuclear power, acid rain, lead, asbestos, pesticides and herbicides as well as the safety of consumer products such as toys and automobiles.