Our Planet, Our Health, the theme of ‘World Health Day’ 2022, echoes the global need for sustainable measures. In the wake of the worldwide pandemic, rising incidence of chronic health conditions and increasing level of pollution, sustainable growth has become imperative. Concerns about environmental degradation have resulted in established guidelines and laws that bring ecological problems to the fold. These guidelines encourage the manufacture of safer products and the development of R&D across several industries.
Regulations and statutory bodies in the international chemical industry:
Several regulations have been put in place by the global chemical industry. Many governments and statutory bodies play a vital role by ensuring the guidelines are adhered to. A few examples of these regulatory bodies are:
Responsible Care
- 1.Responsible care is a part of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA). It is a global chemical industry voluntary initiative that started in 1984 and includes 580 international companies and their CEOs. It encourages companies – national chemical industries, and their partners to use resources consciously, reduce waste and co-operate with various governments to monitor and implement regulations. All this is done to enhance environmental health and address severe ecological concerns. (1)ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX: Eco Passport by Oeko-Tex is one of the most renowned certifications for all chemical products, colours, and accessories needed to produce textiles and leather materials. It helps to expand the market of the beneficiary company among retailers and other brands. It provides certificates to products and not the overall brand, which lasts for up to 12 months. This certification assures the safety of chemicals used in textile production. (2)
- 2.BIS Certification of Chemicals: BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) is a national standard body of India established under the BIS Act 2016, which ensures the quality of various products, thereby assuring the strict procedural guidelines to be followed by the domestic and foreign companies. Several products are under the mandatory list of BIS Certification of Chemicals. (3)
- 3.UN Global Compact (UNGC): This wing of the United Nations aims at encouraging global companies to align their strategies with the 10 Principles of the UN Global Compact, which cover issues of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption and implementation of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals). The pact also focuses on embedding sustainability into companies’ basic development strategies. (4)
- 4.Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Certification and Testing Programs: This is a comprehensive initiative to address waste discharge into the water bodies. Untreated and sometimes even treated waste from the chemical industry can potentially harm the environment. Implementation of ‘sustainable chemistry’ and safe practices by the textile, leather and footwear industries are central to this program. (5)
These regulatory bodies keep the manufacturing of chemicals in check and provide authentication for safe and trusted products.
Concluding thoughts:
Fineotex Chemical Limited, through the R&D facilities, collaborations and partnerships, has aimed at reducing its carbon footprint and making a safer working environment.
Our focus has always been to continuously improve the products by standardising technologies and techniques according to the current regulatory guidelines.
References:
- https://icca-chem.org/focus/responsible-care/
- https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/apply-here/eco-passport-by-oeko-tex
- https://globalomega.com/bis-certification-of-chemicals/
- https://www.un.org/en/un-chronicle/un-global-compact-finding-solutions-global-challenges
- https://www.ul.com/services/zero-discharge-hazardous-chemicals-zdhc-certification-and-testing-programs