SSHE

The role of ICTA

ICTA is dedicated to increasing the resilience of chemical supply chains through the introduction of processes and protocols that deny illegal access to chemical substances and prevent their subsequent misuse. Moreover, ICTA works to raise awareness and build capacity. Recently it has given workshops on chemical security to for instance the Iraq Chemical Weapons National Authority, Pakistani industry and the UNODC.

ICTA also plays an active role in several global organisations with the intention of promoting best practice and ensuring effective international co-operation on these issues. The following two institutions are of particular importance.

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

The OPCW is the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention that is supported by 192 countries. OPCW and its member states work together to achieve a world free of chemical weapons and share the collective goal of preventing chemicals ever again being used for war. The focus of OPCW’s work is changing from the destruction of chemical weapons held by countries to the prevention of their replication by non-state actors such as terrorists.

The Hague Guidelines

Chemicals are essential to our lives and welfare. Yet, if misused chemicals can cause significant damage to people and the environment. To promote responsible use of chemicals, a set of guidelines has been developed by a group of chemical practitioners from around the world. These guidelines are known as the Hague Ethical Guidelines. The Guidelines have been developed at OPCW’s initiative in a collaborative effort with academia and chemical industry representatives. They focus not only on chemical security, but cover all relevant ethical aspects, including safety, sustainability, education and training, and exchange of information. ICTA believes that the Hague Ethical Guidelines are valuable to the chemical community. It notes that there is a clear directional overlap between the Guidelines and the ICTA Responsible Care/ Responsible Distribution programs. ICTA has therefore endorsed the Guidelines and stimulates the awareness of and adherence to the Hague Ethical Guidelines. See here for more info.

G7 Chemical Security Working Group

The G7 is a group of the seven major advanced economies currently representing more than 64% of net global wealth as assessed by the International Monetary Fund. It consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The European Union is also represented within the G7. The Chemical Security sub Working Group focuses on chemical materials.