We have worked with the EU in developing a globally harmonized system for hazard communication. Our goal is to have that system in place by the end of the year 2000. It has been a complicated and difficult process for us all. Change is difficult, especially for nations that have well-established regulatory systems. Yet, over the last year, we have agreed on technical criteria for most of the physical, health and environmental measures for the system.
Much work remains to be done.
We have to develop criteria for mixtures and for communicating hazard information. But we feel confident that a global system is feasible and probable. This project can serve as a model for future cooperative efforts. Today, we are beginning the first of these tripartite sessions. We speak different languages.