Working on / Industry observatory

The Pulp & Paper Industry Observatory was established in May 2009 through a cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade, ASPAPEL, and the Trade Unions FSC-CCOO, FIA-UGT and FEDIT, to provide for the requirements of the 2004 Declaration for Social Dialogue - Competitiveness, Stable Employment and Social Cohesion.

In this way, the industry is provided with an instrument whose fundamental objective is to contribute to the development and competitiveness of the pulp & paper sector in the context of a globalized economy. The work of the Paper Industry Observatory is co-ordinated by the Directorate General of Industry. It also involves the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Information Society, and the General Secretariat of Foreign Trade, as well as the Ministry of Labour and Immigration’s Directorate General of Labour.

Its purpose is to analyse and study issues of relevance for the industry and in its conclusions, to make recommendations and suggest actions aimed at improving the sector’s competitiveness.

In this regard, during 2011 the Observatory's work will be focused on four papers, all considered of significant interest and scope:

• Identification of actions to improve the competitiveness of transport in the paper industry
• Identification of training needs on risk prevention and environment in the sector of pulp, paper and board
• Impact on the recovered paper quality in the paper recycling process. Plan to improve the quality of recovered paper
• Manual on safe handling and storage of raw materials and finished products to the paper industry

During 2010 (its secondyear in operation) it produced five papers, all considered of significant interest and scope:

• Paper and the Consumer: perception and options
• Current economic situation: impact on the sector’s capacity at the European level
• Assessment of future availability of recycled raw material (waste paper) and its impact on the Spanish paper industry
• +5 Diagnosis for Occupational Risk Prevention in the Pulp & Paper industry
• Environmental Management Systems and Workers in the Pulp & Paper Industry

Conclusions and proposals Paper Industry Observatory 2010
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The 2009 work focused on

• A prospective study on new developments in energy production based on biomass and industrial waste from the manufacturing processes.
• An assessment of the environmental risks involved in pulp and paper making.
• The public procurement system: assessment and impact on competitiveness.
• A handbook manual on safe behavioural practices in the pulp & paper industry.
• Employment and working conditions in the pulp and paper sector in Spain: a factor in competitiveness.

These papers were presented in a Public Distribution Workshop (in Spanish) which took place on May 12, 2010 at the headquarters of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism and Commerce in Madrid and which highlighted the findings and recommendations for action that they outlined.

Conclusions and proposals Paper Industry Observatory 2009
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Press release
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