ChemSec Business Group

C h e m S e c B u s i n e ss G r o u p A vehicle for insight, visibility, as well as practical support inspir足ing concrete action on current and forward-looking elements of toxics use reduction.

chemsec business group is a collabor from across sectors, industry groups on toxics use reduction

Working towards continued substitution of hazardous substances and raised awareness of companies’ efforts to be drivers on this issue.

Background

Filling the gap

A prevalent misconception within the media, among politicians and others is that all industry finds chemical regulations ineffective, burdensome and a ­threat to their profits. In reality, many downstream chemicals users realise there is much to gain from increased trans­parency and better control over the production and use of chemicals.

The ChemSec Business Group was established as a collaboration among downstream organisations such as retail­ ers, manufacturers of consumer goods, etc. The group is working together to create a forum in support of appropriate international chemi­cal policy and the de­ velopment of effective corporate practices in the substitu­tion of toxic substances.

The group highlights companies’ efforts to be leaders on this issue.

With evidence indicating that large sect­ ors of industry would gain from stricter chemicals legislation, leading organisa­­­ tions are “taking care of business.”

These companies are often dependent on up-stream chemicals suppliers for safety aspects of the items they produce and market. They see a pro-active approach as not only ­positive for human health and the environ­ment but also creating new ­business opportunities, reducing economic risks, and creating a more equal market playing field.

These market-leaders from across sectors are positive towards stricter chemicals regulation and/or they are actively seeking to replace hazardous substances in their products and processes. Their actions are a response to consumer demand and risk manage­ment, but above all reflect their engage­ment in responsible business development opportunities.

ration between market-leading companies s and ChemSec working to inspire progress

Business Group participating organisations demonstrate: Strong commitment to continuous improvement in chemicals policies and their own practices,

• On a group level through ex­change of information and best practice sharing, and solution-focused discussions on toxic use reduction; • On an individual organisation level through sector specific action, jointly or bilaterally, to promote toxic use reduction in products and processes.

Readiness to engage in public activities that showcase good examples, push the agenda and drive the debate.

Support for the SIN List as a tool for subs­ ti­­tuting hazardous substances in products and processes with more sustain­able, commercially viable alternatives. The SIN List is a project intended to speed up the transition to a toxic free world by identifying chemicals that can be considered Substances of Very High Concern based on the criteria established by the new EU chemical regulation, REACH (www.sinlist.org).

Business Group Objectives Together, ChemSec and participants will promote the goal of private sector enterprises and their respective market opportunities being drivers towards more sustainable products. This goal will be supported by the following objectives:

Internal

• Drawing on shared knowledge from the experience of participants in their work in replacing hazardous substances – in terms of the challenges they meet, the solutions they choose, and the pros and cons of the different options they have at hand.

• Creating a forum for roundtables and in-depth topic discussions with fellow participants, external business leaders, policy makers, NGOs, and other thoughtleaders.

• Demonstrating best practices also by leveraging ChemSec’s extensive network to support and enhance corporate knowledge, collaboration and action on chemicals issues.

• Raising the bar by raising the profile of participants’ positive examples, in terms of chemicals policy and practice. This is achieved through public relations and outreach opportun­ities vis à vis media, policymakers, and the general public.

• Developing tools, e.g., sector-specific ­pilot projects, publications, and o ­ ther mechanisms that help b ­ usinesses enhance their toxic use reduction performance and substantiate policy positions.

Participation as of October 2009

Participants • B&Q • Nokia • Boots Ltd. U.K. • Sara Lee • Dell • Skanska • L’Oréal • Sony Ericsson

External

• Providing a mechanism to dialogue with stakeholders in order to under­stand concerns and to share the efforts and results achieved by the Business Group.

Associated Participants • IKEA • Eureau • Swedish Construction Federation

Participation in the ChemSec Business Group is based on a capacity for high level dialogue, and expressed interest in cooperating on defining and raising the bar for hazardous substance substitution and toxics use reduction.

The ChemSec Business Group is a collaboration among downstream organisations such as retailers, manufacturers of consumer goods, and industry groups.

The ChemSec Business Group serves as a forum in support of appropriate chemi­cals policy, effective corporate practices in the substitution of toxic substances, and awareness of companies’ efforts to be leaders on this issue.

The International Chemical Secretariat – ChemSec is a non-profit organisation working for a toxic free environment. Our focus is to highlight the risks of ­hazardous ­substances and influence and speed up legislative processes.

ChemSec acts as a catalyst for open dialogue between authorities, business and NGOs and collaborates with c­ ompanies committed to taking the lead.

ChemSec is guided by its four guiding principles: • The Precautionary principle

• The Substitution principle

• The Polluter pays principle

• The Right to know principle

For more information on ChemSec or a further decription of how ChemSec interprets these principles please see www.chemsec.org

International Chemical Secretariat P.O. Box 7005, SE-402 31 Göteborg, Sweden Tel: +46(0)31-711 04 95 E-mail: info@chemsec.org www.chemsec.org/business-partnerships