First cases before new NAFTA forum suggest its power will increase; Commission on Environmental Cooperation hears disputes involving North America

Article Abstract:

The North American Commission on Environmental Cooperation (CEC) emerged from the NAFTA negotiations as the main body charged with protecting the environment and bringing Mexican industry as close as possible to US environmental standards while holding out the incentive of increased access to North American markets. The petitions so far heard by the commission are by plaintiffs using the CEC to challenge environmental actions of their own countries and show that body's chance to develop North American environmental law which may become binding in domestic and international disputes.

United States, Management, Mexico

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ISO plans uniform standards: the ISO 14000 standards should survive challenges filed under international trade agreements

Article Abstract:

The International Org for Standardization (ISO) hopes to promulgate use of its ISO 14000 standards for corporate environemental mgmt. These cover training auditors, establishing common procedures and definitions, and guidelines for labelling and life-cycle assessments of products. Sections of the Uruguay Round Agreements that established the World Trade Org, and of the N American Free Trade Agreement, could invalidate such standards. ISO 14000 seems to be proof against that, though other standards may not be.

Standards, Environmental aspects, International Organization for Standardization

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New York City attempts watershed experiment; a special task force has a plan to improve water supply without filtration or economic stagnation

Article Abstract:

Regulators with the mission of ensuring the safety of the water supply are trying an experiment in New York City's watershed, which includes the Croton, Catskill and Delaware aqueducts. Existing systems could not remove all the phosphorus and nitrogen discharged from sewage treatment plants. The experiment attempts to use phosphorus "offsets," as a market-driven method added to its regulatory authority in reducing the nutrient loads in the watershed.

New York, New York, Protection and preservation, Water-supply, Water supply, Watersheds

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