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TOGETHER IS BETTER MANUFACTURING • AFFILIATIONS AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE PROMOTE REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY IN STEEL DRUMS, ISDI SAYS STEEL DRUMS TRANSPORT more than 50m tonnes of both hazardous and nonhazardous materials around the world every year. Because of this staggering statistic, steel drum manufacturers have needed to continue operations throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, being designated ‘Essential Businesses’ by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and in accordance with the DHS Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The Industrial Steel Drum Institute (ISDI), a North American non-profit trade association
This is nothing exceptional for ISDI, which regularly provides its members with up-todate information, represents the industry before federal agencies and the US Congress, acts as liaison with other industry groups and individual corporations, and plays an active role with international organisations, including the UN Sub-committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. This cooperation enables members to realise operational and regulatory benefits that they may not have been able to attain individually. For instance, through the Institute’s
representing manufacturers of steel drums in the US, Canada and Mexico, worked hard to promote the common interests of its members during this difficult time through government relations, technical research, education and information exchange, media relations and marketing efforts.
affiliation with the International Confederation of Drum Manufacturers (ICDM), an alliance between ISDI and similar organisations in Europe and Asia, members can provide expertise on packaging proposals that influence regulations. In fact, just this year, ISDI’s leadership of ICDM helped other
HCB MONTHLY | FEBRUARY 2021
countries communicate the essential nature of steel drums and, consequentially, kept the industry open around the globe. ICDM’s member organisations – ISDI, Syndicat Européen de L’industrie des Fûts en Acier (SEFA) in Europe and the Asia Oceanic Steel Drum Association (AOSD) – have also recently collaborated on promoting the many advantages of the steel drum. TRAINING FOR QUALITY Another avenue ISDI uses to represent its members is through the sponsorship of TRANSCAER, a voluntary national outreach effort that educates and assists first responders in communities near transportation routes. Through this partnership, ISDI trains emergency responders on the proper use of steel drums and how to best respond to a potentially hazardous situation. Through live trainings, virtual webinars and videos, ISDI helps first responders do their jobs with greater safety.
ISDI’S STEEL DRUM MANUFACTURER MEMBERS PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN KEEPING TRADE MOVING, A ROLE THAT HAS BEEN RECOGNISED BY FEDERAL AGENCIES DURING THE CURRENT PANDEMIC
