In Brussels, we have broad capabilities to advise on EU directives and regulations from early inception to implementation. To ensure our clients have the advance warning they may need to adapt their practices and procedures to new legislation, our environmental lawyers in Brussels monitor EU policy developments even before draft legislation is published. For example, White & Case lawyers were involved in the preparations for Europe's legislation on electronic waste before any draft texts were published.

In working with clients on pending regulations, we provide a detailed and tailored analysis of new EU proposals and their implications and monitor them throughout the adoption process. We enable clients to benefit from opportunities to intervene in European law-making by working with them to prepare submissions to the decision-makers and draft suggested amendments to environmental proposals.

We also frequently advise clients on the implementation of European legislation by individual EU countries, including the United Kingdom.

We are similarly involved in proposed US legislation that would establish a carbon "cap and trade mechanism," and many of our lawyers have experience with various national and international carbon trading regimes.

European legislation on which we advise includes: 

• REACH: The EU's new legislation on chemicals, both as substances on their own and in finished products, will affect practically every producer who does business in Europe 
• Dangerous Substances 
• CO₂ emissions reductions and energy efficiency 
• Emissions trading under EU ETS, various national schemes and the Kyoto Protocol 
• Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Legislation 
• Treatment and Shipment of Waste (Hazardous and Non-Hazardous) 
• Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 
• Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive 
• End of Life Vehicles Directive (ELV) 
• Batteries Directive 
• The Environmental Liability Directive