Today saw the ceremony launching EU Twinning project “Further Development of Chemicals and Biocides Management in the Republic of Serbia”.
As announced during the ceremony, project activities will be implemented from September 2015-September 2017, with a total budget of EUR1 million, out of which EUR950,000 is allocated out of EU funds, whereas Serbia’s contribution would amount to EUR50,000.
Main goal of the project is to support Serbia in fulfilling the requirements of EU acquis in the area of environment and public health by institutional establishment and further capacity enhancement. The project will allow Serbia to learn about and share the best practices of the relevant EU legislation, with the aim to further improve chemical and biocides management in Serbia. Proper management of chemicals allows for economic growth, promote innovation and ensure a high level of health and environment protection.
One of the planned outcomes it to strengthen professional capacity of staff in order to ensure adequate and effective implementation of EU acquis following the EU accession, thus ensuring viability of project results. However, the project will have a much broader impact: improving the business environment and capacity of domestic companies to ensure their competitiveness on the EU market; achieving higher level of public health and environment protection, thus making citizens of Serbia final beneficiaries of this Union-supported project.
The EU has already supported the establishment of chemicals management system, through its IPA 2008 support scheme. Thanks to good results, the project will continue to improve legal framework for the management of biocides, administrative practices in the management of chemicals, professional capacity, competences and skills of public servants within the relevant Ministry. Aiming to achieve this goal, Slovenian Ministry of Health/Department for Chemicals and Austrian Environment Agency will help Serbian Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection and share their knowledge with this direct beneficiary of the project.
