A (Slow) Burning Issue: Convergence in National Regulation of Dioxins from Incineration

Since the 1980s, industrialised countries have shown substantial convergence in their regulation of dioxin from municipal solid waste incineration. Despite significant convergence in emissions limits, countries vary substantially in their timing, with some acting much sooner than others. What explains the observed convergence? New scientific information is an important permissive condition for convergence. The findings are most consistent with a mechanism of transnational communication, although independent problem solving cannot be ruled out. The actions of international NGOs do not appear to be significant in explaining the outcome. European Union directives and international agreements did not lead on this issue, although they have pushed the laggards to act. What explains the variation in timing across countries? Patterns of adoption are not explained by levels of dioxin exposure, as those countries with higher reliance on incineration and greater exposures tended to regulate later than others. Domestic political factors account for delayed responses in laggards.