17/11/2005 - The paper "The contribution of good environmental regulation to competitiveness", published jointly by 29 Environmental Protection Agencies in Europe says that a competitive economy and a healthy environment are not mutually exclusive.
Regulation protects our natural environment and at the same time drives innovation, reduces business risk and increases the confidence of investment markets and insurers. It can also help companies develop their competitiveness and competitive markets, create and maintain jobs, and improve the health of the workforce and the wider public.

The paper represents the result of work undertaken by the Network's Interest Group on Better Regulation chaired by Chief Executive of the Environment Agency of England and Wales, Barbara Young.

The EPAs agreed to contribute to the debate by endorsing a joint statement which reviewed evidence from the World Bank, OECD, national governments and academics on the links between environmental regulation and competitiveness.

The EPA Network is an informal grouping bringing together the heads of environment protection agencies and similar bodies across Europe to exchange views and experience on issues of common interest to organisations involved in the practical day-to-day implementation of environmental policy.