UK chemical industry keeps its eyes on the environment
The UK Chemical Industries Association's (CIA) environmental conference 2006, "Managing the Environmental Challenge', reiterated the urgent need for proportionate regulation and supported a revision of the waste framework directive that would "clarify the definition of waste at European level".
The UK Chemical Industries Association's (CIA) environmental conference 2006, "Managing the Environmental Challenge', reiterated the urgent need for proportionate regulation and supported a revision of the waste framework directive that would "clarify the definition of waste at European level".
The event set out to provide those involved with a comprehensive understanding of the drive towards better regulation and sustainable development, addressing such issues as the new and revised European legislation covering water, waste, Integrated Pollution Protection and Control (IPPC) and Enviroment liability.
Attended by government officials, regulators and industry experts, it offered CIA member companies the opportunity to exchange views with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), the Better Regulation Executive and regulators from the Environment Agency.
Speaking at the event, Steve Elliott, chief executive of the CIA, called for "pragmatic interpretation" of European legislation on waste and demanded that environmental law be risk-based and "outcome focused'.
In its guiding principles and goals for sustainable development launched in July 2004, the CIA committed itself to achieving "a substantial overall reduction in environmental burdens, an 11% improvement in energy efficiency, a 20% reduction in water usage and a 25% reduction in hazardous waste production" by 2010.
"Responsible Care", a self-imposed commitment by chemical companies worldwide under the auspices of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), is designed to help companies continuously improve the health, safety and environmental performance of their operations and products. It has been in operation in the UK since 1989 and compliance with its guiding principles is mandatory for all CIA members, who have their environmental, health and safety performances published by the Association on an annual basis in the Responsible Care Indicators of Performance. The 2005 report will be published this summer.