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Chemtrec aids compliance
WHERE IN THE WORLD
INTERNATIONAL • CHEMTREC IS CELEBRATING ITS 50TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR WITH A NEW GUIDE TO HELP EXPORTERS STAY COMPLIANT WITH LOCAL REGULATIONS AROUND THE WORLD
MANY COUNTRIES HAVE adopted the UN’s Globally Harmonised System of classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS) as the basis for their safety data sheet (SDS) and product and package labelling regulations, but there is still a wide variety of regulations in place around the world. Companies exporting dangerous goods need to be aware of those regulations so they can prepare their consignments properly to avoid snags in the supply chain and added costs.
To help them, Chemtrec has come up with a new guide to emergency response compliance, providing advice on best practice and guidance for businesses exporting goods around the world. Created in partnership with international regulatory experts Denehurst Chemical Safety, the guide covers both the international transport regulations, which aim to prevent and mitigate any incidents that happen during the transport of chemicals, and the supply regulations, which aim to protect the end users of chemicals and which are more locally oriented.
The guide provides key information on country-specific transport and supply requirements in a number of countries, including China, South Korea, Australia, Brazil and Mexico, simplifying often complex regulations and providing the emergency response telephone numbers needed in order to comply. It highlights how, where and why to display emergency numbers, and who must be available to take the call, as well as considering wider regulatory requirements including Chinese hazardous chemical regulations and international lithium battery test summary requirements.
DO THE RIGHT THING “Failure to comply with international transport and supply regulations can leave companies financially and reputationally exposed,” says Christopher Brown, interim chief executive of Chemtrec. “Wherever you are in the world and
whatever mode of transport you are using, our comprehensive new guide simplifies complex requirements such as the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Technical Instructions, as well as highlighting the specific regulations that require you to have an emergency response telephone number on shipping documents, labels and vehicle placards in a number of international countries.
“While not mandated, displaying our numbers properly not only supports compliance but will also help avoid any delays to your supply chain,” Brown adds.
The launch of the guide is being supported with a series of webinars to help businesses understand the regulations and how they impact the supply chain. It will also help customers understand how Chemtrec can help manage risks to people, the environment, business operations and reputation.
The guide is also a reflection of the wider role of Chemtrec, which offers round-theclock multilingual assistance, support and expertise to help its clients manage any incidents in the movement and supply of chemicals and other dangerous goods.
“When incidents do occur, it’s Chemtrec‘s priority to ensure employees, first responders and the general public are protected, and the environmental impact of the incident is minimised,” Chemtrec says. “From reducing/ lessening operational and environmental risk to staying compliant and protecting their investments, Chemtrec’s skill and expertise in dealing with the unexpected is invaluable to organisations the world over.”
Established in 1971 by the Manufacuring Chemists’ Association (MCA) – now the Chemical Manufacturers Association – to provide chemical-specific information to emergency responders, Chemtrec now has some 30,000 public and private sector organisations as clients and offices in all major regions of the world.
The new Emergency Response Guide can be downloaded free of charge from the Chemtrec website at www.chemtrec.com/erguide.
