The Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development (FIELD) and UNCTAD hosted a stakeholder discussion on the proposed EU regulation of chemicals (REACH) and developing countries in Brussels, Belgium on 28-29 October 2004. The stakeholder discussion was part of the joint ‘Project on Strengthening Capacity for Improved Policy Making and Negotiation on Key Trade and Environment Issues’ funded by the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID). The meeting brought together forty EU and developing country policy makers, private sector representatives, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other relevant stakeholders to discuss the impact of EU environmental requirements on developing countries, as illustrated by REACH. The meeting served two functions. First, it provided an explanation of the content of REACH and the process by which it is being developed. Secondly, it provided a platform for discussing the nature of developing country participation in consultations concerning REACH, the likely impact of REACH on developing countries, and possible assistance to facilitate compliance with REACH by industry in developing countries. It is hoped that lessons learned from the experience with REACH can inform future efforts by the EU and other developed countries to minimise the impact of environmental requirements on developing countries.