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Mexican firms commit to responsabilidad integral

Journal Article · · Chemical Week; (United States)
OSTI ID:6919189

With the prospect of Mexico joining the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), eyes are on the environmental performance of that country's chemical industry. Its image has already been dented directly by pollution problems at certain maquiladora plants on the U.S. border, and indirectly by the April explosions at Guadalajara, blamed on gasoline leaks from state oil group Petroleos Mexicanos, (Pemex). NAFTA has drown the issue into focus, since the pact could encourage companies to build plants in Mexico to take advantage of cheaper labor costs. Concerned that laxer environmental provisions could also play a part, environmentalists are pressuring Washington to ensure that NAFTA puts Mexico on a par with the rest of North America. But chemical markers assert that Mexico's environmental legislation is already similar to that of the US. And, under the administration of President Carlos Salinas Gortari, the Ministry of Social Development has upped enforcement, fined a number of producers, and closed down some chemical units for failing to meet environmental regulations.

OSTI ID:
6919189
Journal Information:
Chemical Week; (United States), Journal Name: Chemical Week; (United States) Vol. 151:23; ISSN CHWKA9; ISSN 0009-272X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English