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| Rules review
saves businesses $50 million! |
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Besides cutting red-tape
to enhance efficiency, regulatory reviews can also bring
about many more benefits for customers. In fact, a recent
regulatory refinement has enabled local biomedical sciences
industry operators to save a whopping $50 million!
The biomedical sciences (BMS) industry is well
accepted as a key pillar of Singapore’s economy and a
vital engine for our continued growth. Home to 7 of the
world’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies’ manufacturing
facilities, Singapore is committed to attracting and engaging
investors through industry promoters and champions such
as the Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Agency
for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).
The formation of the Chemistry Taskforce in June 2005
arose from the
need for a more conducive business environment for the
BMS industry.
The taskforce, which is a self-help group facilitated
by the EDB comprising
12 BMS research-based chemical users in Singapore, addresses
common interests and concerns.
At one of the discussion sessions, member organisations
of the taskforce expressed intense concern over the need
to spend a significant amount of resources in order to
comply with the new Petroleum and Flammable Materials
Regulations 2005 implemented by the Singapore Civil Defence
Force (SCDF).
The Chemistry Taskforce then shared its feedback through
EDB with the Smart Regulation Committee (SRC) in December
2005. Consequently, SRC brought the affected parties together.
From there, they gained a common understanding of the
regulatory concerns and business constraints involved,
and the need to strike a balance between the two. SCDF
subsequently revised the requirements. As a result, industry,
public research and university laboratories now enjoy
cost savings estimated at more than S$50 million.
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The Chemistry Taskforce is indebted
to the efforts of the SRC in establishing
communication channels between the biomedical
sciences research community and SCDF
to address the unique storage conditions
of flammable materials in laboratories. |
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Dr
Peck Thian Guan
Director of Office of Safety, Health
and Environment
National University of Singapore |
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The flexibility and pro-enterprise spirit of the Singapore
Government further enabled one of the taskforce members,
Albany Molecular Research Singapore Research Centre, to
expand its local operations to include a pilot-scale chemistry
laboratory.
Building on the momentum, SRC engaged the help of the
Ministry of Trade and Industry to further assist the BMS
industry by facilitating a review of the regulations governing
the import, storage, transport and disposal of specialty
chemicals. This collaborative review involves eight government
agencies.
While Singapore has consistently been regarded as one
of the best countries
to operate a business in, intense global competition leaves
no room for complacency. Our foundation is strong, which
means we have greater ability and responsibility to build
an even more pro-enterprise and stakeholder-centric climate
that draws investors, brings about a vibrant environment
and creates opportunities for our people and businesses.
To this end, our Public Service must continue to provide
the best possible for its stakeholders and conscientiously
base decision-making considerations at the whole-of-government
level. |
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By Secretariat, Smart Regulation
Committee
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