ASSOCIATION NEWS
SA’s aerosol industry is stepping up! Looking back at what was a game-changing year, the AMA said the industry had adapted to the challenges and demands brought about by COVID-19. This was the message at the 58th AGM of the AMA which took place on 24 June. P&C Review attended the virtual event to learn more about the latest developments in the South African aerosols industry. By Abby Vorster
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ver the past 12 months, aerosol manufacturers in South Africa have shown their resilience. Guided by the Aerosol Manufacturers’ Association (AMA), they have embraced advances in technology and virtual communication platforms to stay abreast of market demands and global developments, and quickly adapted to produce essential goods such as hand sanitisers, foggers and disinfectants. Extended producer responsibility, POPI Act compliance, virtual training, the AMA Approved Mark, the tin plate steel saga and regulatory affairs such as the implementation of GHS and the re-registration of disinfectants by the NRCS continue to be key areas of focus for the association.
GHS IMPLEMENTATION The implementation of GHS is on everyone’s lips. After many years of uncertainty on GHS since 2007, the Regulations for Hazardous Chemical Agents were promulgated on 29 March. Dr John Greathead, AMA’s technical advisor, said that regulations define substances and mixtures used in the workplace, which are classified in a specific range of GHS hazard categories as hazardous chemical agents. “The impact of the regulations is that all aerosol products, except medicines and cosmetics, have to be classified according to GHS for all relevant hazard categories and labelled accordingly, and must have a GHS compliant safety data sheet,” he explained.
Cosmetic products such as deodorants and pharmaceuticals such as inhalers are not hazardous according to GHS classifications. However, home care products have to be classified according to GHS hazards as they are used by domestic workers and cleaners in homes and offices etc.
"The industry had adapted to the challenges and demands brought about by COVID-19" “In addition to the GHS flammability warnings, which the AMA has been recommending for the last while, aerosols will have to carry the GHS warnings for any of the other hazard categories for which the contents of the aerosol may be classified,” Dr Greathead added. He recommended using software from Lissam South Africa to help manufacturers with the classification of all products in accordance with GHS, which is bound to be a challenge. Aerosol manufacturers may attend the introduction and advanced GHS training course offered by RPMASA, though the depth of understanding achieved from this course is not clear. UNITAR also offers a 10-week online GHS training course, which is said to be in depth and results in the attendee receiving a GHS competence certificate on successful completion of all the modules.
POST-CONSUMER WASTE SURVEY As the AMA is committed to raising the bar in terms of sustainability, the association is currently undertaking a survey on postconsumer waste in aerosols. The project is led by Sanesh Allopi of Unilever who says there are three core areas which form part of the
AMA GOLF DAY 2021 The association will host its annual golf day on 15 September at The Country Club, Woodmead, Sandton. This Rocklands Course was previously ranked 50th in South Africa and is now ranked 35th. Golf Digest describes the course as an “underrated masterpiece in the beautiful surrounds of the club with great views of Johannesburg”. At this year’s golf day, the AMA will offer a short game mashie game for those who cannot make the full day. The awards dinner will take place in the evening offering players and industry professionals a great networking opportunity. The AMA is also taking bookings for dinner only. Team bookings for the golf day are open; 10 teams have already booked their spots. Please send an email to Nick Tselentis (execdir@aerosol. co.za) for booking information. survey. These are design for recycling, the metal market, and the current position on consumer aerosol recycling. The project is due to end in August after such time Allopi and his survey committee will present back to the AMA on the way forward. The findings of the survey will be presented in a white paper that will be made publicly available. It will also see the AMA petition government on the challenges associated with aerosol can recycling in order to have more sustainable solutions implemented locally. • AMA – www.aerosol.co.za
WWW.PHARMACOS.CO.ZA // JULY 2021
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