China has updated its regulations for the warehousing of hazardous chemicals. These so-called General Rules for the Hazardous Chemicals Warehouse Storage (GB 15603-2022) will enter into force on 1 July 2023. The new regulation repeals and replaces GB 16603-1995. This mandatory national standard amongst others handling and stacking, warehouse operations, labor protection and emergency management of potentially harmful chemicals

While China’s new rules focus on warehousing, India has revised its guideline on the transportation of dangerous goods. This guideline (IS 18149:2023) was published by the Bureau of Indian Standards and contains a new benchmark for the safe handling and transportation of hazardous materials. Relevant topics include classification, packaging, labelling, handling, documentation, training, transportation, emergency action and provisions for segregation. The guidelines apply to most stakeholders active in the chemical supply chain, such as vehicle owners, contractors, consignors, consignees, operators and drivers. For more info feel free to contact the secretariat.

Given the risks related to chemical distribution, it is crucial that chemical distributors work safely, securely and sustainably. To improve their performance on these matters, chemical distributors have long been participating in ‘Responsible Care’ or ‘Responsible Distribution’ programs in several countries. These programs are offered by national chemical distributor associations. 

However, many countries do not have such national (or regional) associations. For companies from those countries, it has not been possible to join a program. To fill this gap, ICTA is setting up a Global Responsible Distribution program. This allows local companies and local subsidiaries of multinational companies to improve their safety, security and sustainability, and prove their progress. In short: we want to give all chemical distributors – anywhere – the opportunity to work under Responsible Distribution.

To update its members ICTA organized a webinar on May 11, 2023. During the webinar Bob Moser explained why Brenntag supports the initiative. Not only did he go into the business rationale of participating, but he also shared the broader personal motivation that he and his colleagues feel for making Global RD a success. Robert Stuyt and Willem van Lanschot (both ICTA) gave an overview of the key elements of the Global RD program. The program gives a prominent role to safe chemical warehousing, sustainability and value chain responsibility. The webinar slides can be found here.
 

We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Edgar E. Nordmann, board member of ICTA.

On March 8, 2023 Edgar passed away unexpectedly and peacefully in Malaysia at the age of 83. We express our condolences to his wife, his family, and The Georg Nordmann Holding Group and its subsidiaries.
Edgar was our long time chairman, steering ICTA to become a professional organisation. In recent years and until today he was an enthusiastic and committed member of the ICTA Board. We remember Edgar as a charming, warm, and charismatic personality, with an eye for detail. 
We could not have imagined a better ambassador than Edgar, for ICTA and for the entire chemical distribution industry. An icon has passed away.