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RESPONSIBLE CARE
For several years the Association has been promoting in Mexico the Responsible Care Management System (SARI, acronym in Spanish), a system that has been very successful in 53 countries around the world. The purpose of the Responsible Care Management System is to promote sustainable development in two major aspects:
To make Responsible Care a means for companies to achieve a competitive advantage, and
To take this commitment to the value chain of the industry.
Governmental Recognition
Last April 1st, the agreement whereby the Responsible Care voluntary initiative is officially recognized was signed at the National Consultative Commission for the Standardization of Security and Hygiene with the participation of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (STPS). This initiative is promoted by ANIQ as a system to comply with the criteria applicable to the security and health management systems at work.
With this Agreement, the Ministry of Labor undertakes to grant the third level recognition of “Safe Company” to those companies that are members of the Responsible Care Management System that meet the requirements of regulatory compliance and a reduction in the social insurance risk premium index. An immediate benefit set forth in this Agreement is that the Ministry abstains from performing regular inspections of the General Conditions of Security and Health at Work to ANIQ member companies after they start their participation at SARI.
Throughout 2008, ANIQ worked together with the Ministry in the operational implementation of this Agreement for the company Beneficiadora e Industrializadora SA de CV (BEISA), that based on the execution of leading practices and the compliance with Responsible Care, has become the first organization receiving the benefits of the Agreement.
With respect to the agreement implemented with the Customs General Administration (Administración General de Aduanas, AGA), seven opinions were issued this year with which the companies are eligible to receive the benefits of “Certified Company”.
The companies of the chemical industry that were issued an Opinion certifying the implementation of the Responsible Care Management System valid for the Customs General Administration were: Innophos, BEISA, Clariant, Akzo Nobel, Reacciones Químicas, Dow Química and Ciba.
Training and consulting services
A commitment of ANIQ with member companies is to hold regular meetings for communicating information about SARI to interested companies and to promote SARI's implementation, communicating the scope and benefits of adopting the system.
For this purpose, 18 customized sessions were held with the same number of companies in 2008. The sessions were held in ANIQ facilities and also in the company's facilities. Ten were held with ANIQ member companies, 5 were held with transportation service providers and for the first time three sessions were held with the pharmaceutical industry.
The Responsible Care team held 6 breakfast sessions with the Distributions Section, and taught two modules in the Environment, Sustainable Development, and Productivity Diploma Course organized by ANIQ.
Also, the team participated in the workshops carried out for internal development of member companies in Naucalpan and Ocoyoacac in the State of México, and in Altamira, Tamaulipas.
Two introductory workshops were held for transportation companies intending to comply with SARI's guidelines.
Preparation of Inspectors
A basic aspect to promote and develop compliance with the environment, safety, workers health, and community protection aspects as set forth by the Responsible Care System is the availability and competence of inspectors.
In addition to three Workshops to Prepare and Update SARI's Inspectors, throughout 2008 ANIQ coordinated together with the Expertise Center for Product Safety of Dow Química, the conference: “Basic Concepts of Responsible Care: Product Life Cycle” as part of the Inspectors Permanent Training Program.
Contrary to previous years when the limitation in the number of these professionals became the major reason to prevent a timely answer to requests for opinions or SARI inspections, today we are proud to inform that the catalog or list of ANIQ's inspectors has not only doubled but the distribution of these inspectors has improved, thus giving a better response to the inspection requests submitted by member companies.
The entities where inspectors are mainly concentrated are: Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, Tlaxcala, Puebla, Veracruz, State of Mexico and Mexico City.
The current list of inspectors includes a plan of external inspectors. They are individuals who for many years were in charge of environmental, safety or hygiene areas in the industry, who have now retired and had a large experience in this field.
Inspections
To demonstrate with facts the commitment of the chemical industry to address the concerns of society through the promotion of continuous improvement in the protection of health, safety and environmental care, 27 inspections of the Responsible Care Management System were carried out this year.
Of these 27 inspections, 18 were second-party inspections carried out as follows: eight to manufacturers, six to carrier companies, and four to distributors.
Of the nine third-party inspections, five were carried out to manufacturers at six sites, two to transporters and two to distributors.
SARI inspections carried out by ANIQ to
member companies per year
Recognition
At ANIQ's 2008 General Meeting held in April, the Association delivered the “Responsible Care Recognitions” to the companies that during the inspection process demonstrated an outstanding progress in the implementation of the program, exceeding 90% of the program in the previous term.
The companies that received this recognition for 2007 were:
Akzo Nobel
BASF Mexicana
Beneficiadora e Industrializadora
Clariant Mexico
Industrias Derivadas del Etileno
Innophos Fosfatados
Value Chain
The companies that are members of the Responsible Care Global Charter are committed to expand the Responsible Care System to the whole value chain, with the purpose to promote the ethics, principles and practices of the System, and to spread the importance of the economic and social contributions of the Chemical Industry.
In view of the above, during 2008, 15 new carrier companies became members of the group of providers of this service to the industry, willing to implement the Responsible Care principles in their organizations.
The third-party inspection of these carriers was validated in December, ratifying the compliance with at least 85% of SARI's principles by Transportes Especializados Carmex and Autotanques Petroquímicos Nacionales established in the State of Nuevo León, and Transportes Larraga located in Tamaulipas.
The Responsible Care requirements complied by such service providers are equal to the requirements implemented by distributers and manufacturers, thus ensuring total alignment with the objectives of the Chemical Industry.
Continuous improvement with SARI
At their quarterly meetings, the Responsible Care Coordinators started to review the work done after five years of the creation of this Management System.
To keep updating the system by incorporating new concepts and needs relevant for the chemical industry, and to update the documentary system, promote in-house inspections of more companies and to increase the adoption of the System by new companies, the following improvements were made:
Self-evaluation will be replaced with the current format of the Inspection Protocol.
To avoid reprocessing, Diagnostics and the Inspection Protocol were linked to create the Action Plan in a new document, and
The gradual incorporation of some security aspects referring to the performance of physical and information systems was validated. The purpose of this action is to increase the safety of the community, employees, facilities, productive processes, and the security of information and information systems
Based on current global trends, ANIQ is currently analyzing to include Sustainable Development.
SAFETY AND HYGIENE
With the purpose of facilitating production activities in the chemical sector, in 2008 ANIQ's Safety and Hygiene Division worked jointly with its members and various regulatory entities, always keeping in mind the carrying out of actions directed to improve the competitiveness of the domestic chemical segment.
Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
Among the most outstanding activities, we wish to highlight those related to the proposal of a Mexican Official Standard (NOM, its acronym in Spanish) related to the Globally Harmonized System (GHS).
This Standard, to be issued jointly with the federal health and environmental authorities, will help the Mexican industry and government authorities to have only one basis, one criterion, to classify the chemical products managed in the country.
This will help Mexico match its chemical products with those of other countries members of the United Nations, and will also be very helpful for the international traffic of chemical products.
A matter that is still pending is the creation of a national standard for product labeling. Other entities directly related to the GHS must issue or match their standards with the criteria of this standard that we expect will be published in 2009.
Federal Act for the Control of Chemical Substances That Could Be Deviated for the Manufacturing of Chemical Weapons
This bill was promoted in the Senate by the National Security and Investigation Center (CISEN, its acronym in Spanish) from the Ministry of Government.
The purpose of this bill is to create a set of standards that will help the country to comply with the agreements set forth in the Convention for the Prohibition and Non-Proliferation of Chemical Weapons issued by the UN.
There was an opportunity to discuss the bill and comments made by the Association related to the project were sent both to legislators and to CISEN's officers. In spite of the fact that critical items in the bill were modified in the interest of all members, there are still some aspects that we expect will be corrected when the pertaining regulations are drafted.
MASH in the International Scenario
A topic in the international scenario that called our attention was the Commission for Environmental Cooperation of North America. The general purpose of this Commission, created after the execution of NAFTA, is to solve matters related to the care and conservation of the environment that could affect or arise in the North American Region under the Treaty signed.
Among the various topics that this Commission attends to, the inventory of chemical substances has the greatest impact on the industry because Mexico is the only country that does not have such inventory. That is the reason why work is being carried out in the definition of programs and strategies that will help in being aware of the substances managed in the three countries in North America, especially in Mexico.
In view of the above, the Ministry of the Environment has started work that will lead to the drafting of a chemical inventory. The Association has been invited to participate in this project and attention will be paid so that the inventory does not result in more bureaucracy but rather becomes a tool that will help in the management of chemical products in Mexico.
SAICM
This arose from the 2006 Dubai Summit where the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) was launched. Mexico has been working in the drafting of policies and strategies that will help in the due performance of the Agreement, where the purpose is to conclude in 2020.
REACH
On June 1, 2008, the European initiative called REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) became effective and in view of its implications for the chemical industry, ANIQ advised domestic companies helping them obtain their registration and worked closely with European service providers in support of companies.
THE ENVIRONMENT
The environmental topic demanded intensive lobbying work at different government levels. All with the purpose of expressing the best interests of the chemical sector with respect to regulations on environmental care. In all projects we tried to reconcile the best interests of all entities involved, always keeping in mind the same objective: the well-being of Mexico and its population.
In the modification and determination of the applicable regulatory framework there was one word and concept in common that was the basis for all comments made by this Association, and that was “Competitiveness”. For that reason, all the projects analyzed, discussed and negotiated were approached with the purpose of furthering the competitiveness of companies and consequently that of the country.
Project of a NOM Covering Highly Hazardous Activities
In addition to the drafting of the regulations, work was carried out in the drafting of a NOM dealing with their applicability. This will be applicable to the hazardous materials listed in the standard. Chemical activities will be classified as highly hazardous only when they are caused by any of the chemicals listed in the NOM or when such chemicals are handled in an amount above the threshold.
NOM Project for Plans for the Management of Hazardous Waste
It can be said that regulations only applicable to waste and not to byproducts or materials was an achievement. At the same time, the regulation of small generators of residues and of infectious biological waste was prevented.
NOM Draft for Plans for the Handling of Special Management Waste
The criteria to classify special management waste were agreed upon and also those necessary for the identification of any residues to which a management plan must be applied.
Also, proposals for a management plan for plastic bags from self-serve stores and used tires in the Federal District were reviewed. It was agreed that the pertaining standards should be drafted taking into consideration the criteria expressed.
Project for the Modification of NOM-144 on Wood Packing
This standard demanded a revision and ANIQ's proposals were included. Such proposals will be a motivation for not considering verification units as the only testimony in the visual verification of compliance with this standard. In a similar way, alignment was attempted of the part related to the evaluation of compliance and certification.
Diploma Course on the Environment
From April 18th to August 16th a Diploma Course on the Environment called “Productivity and Sustainable Development” was held with 19 persons in attendance and a general evaluation of 9.60.
The following are some of the objectives achieved:
1) Updating of theoretical/practical knowledge of responsibilities in environmental care.
2) Increase of knowledge and skills of persons responsible for environmental care in organizations so that they may contribute to their sustainable development.
3) Contribute to the creation of projects for improving productivity of organizations, without any detriment to environmental care.
4) Strengthening of their business vision within the framework of the Responsible Care Management System, and
5) Promote the performance of legal requirements in order to prevent any operational risks and improve performance results.
Seminar on Legal, Environmental and Safety Updating
This event was held on September 24 with 34 persons in attendance. The purpose of this Seminar was to create a forum through which all persons present could obtain first-hand information that must be complied with in production operations concerning environmental and safety and hygiene aspects. Updating of these matters is fundamental to guarantee continuous and efficient operations.
Congress on the Environment, Safety and Hygiene
On June 26, our traditional National Congress on the Environment, Safety and Hygiene was held in Mexico City with the topic “Strategic Planning and Its Application to Environmental and Safety Aspects in Organizations”. Mexican and foreign speakers participated both from the private and governmental sectors. The purpose was to present the trends, benefits and methodologies in the field of strategic planning to support business competitiveness from the safety and environmental point of view.
COMMISSION ON THE PLASTIC INDUSTRY, RESPONSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. (CIPRES)
In view of the remarkable and dynamic activities carried out by member companies of this Commission, a strategic plan was drafted to help the group to position itself in a better manner with similar entities.
The following are the most relevant achievements of this Commission:
LEGISLATION
A draft of the decree whereby several articles in the General Act for Prevention and Integral Management of Waste were modified and expanded was submitted.
The Legislative Branch promoted the setting up of certain measures to stop the use of plastic bags made of materials such as low density polyethylene, linear polyethylene, high density polyethylene or polypropylene, and promote their replacement with biodegradable products.
The legislative proposal attempts to approach this problem with a program for the gradual replacement of biodegradable plastic that is less damaging to the environment and less dependent on hydrocarbons.
This replacement program put forward by the Ecological Green Party of Mexico proposes, on a gradual and progressive basis, to grant a 24-month period to business in general -which is a reasonable time- to replace non-biodegradable plastic bags with other biodegradable material or other materials that have less impact on the environment. Other important aspect that must be highlighted is the active campaign that must be carried out for the dissemination and awareness of this program and the assistance on the part of stores and public in general with the purpose of slowly changing to this culture of using degradable plastic, even promoting the return to the use of the “old shopping bag” made of degradable materials.
The position document was prepared and delivered to the Technical Secretariat of the Commission on the Environment and Natural Resources in the Senate.
In such document, the concerns of the plastic industry were reflected with respect to the negative effects of such initiative, expressing its objections and the legal, technical and economic comments that arose in the analysis of such initiative.
The Senate Commission considered that the comments submitted were legitimate and modified the proposal taking the following into consideration:
Encourage the assessment or re-use of current bags, favoring plans for collecting them.
Promote replacement with bags that may be used again.
Consider environmental education of society as the fundamental pillar for the application of a policy that offers adequate and full management of all residues.
We believe that there will be new initiatives in 2009. Therefore, we will be paying attention to the legislative program in order to immediately report and act on the information generated during the next period of congressional sessions.
PROMOTION AND EDUCATION
Selective subject in the College of Architecture of UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico)
“Plastics in Construction”
Trying to promote and boost the use and application of the various plastic materials in the construction segment through the College of Architecture of UNAM, it was agreed to create a subject to be included in the official curriculum. This project required the creation of a Curricular Guide on plastics used in construction and the following are its contents:
Background, Features, Processes and Application of Plastics in Construction, Expandable Polystyrene (EPS) and its Applications in Construction, Vinyl Polychloride (PVC) and its Applications in Construction.
Environmental Impact and Waste Management.
Recycling of Plastics for Construction. Trends, the Future of Plastics in Construction.
The College of Architecture approved the topics, the Curricular Guide and also the description of the selective subject that includes: general purpose, approach, thematic contents, methodology, educational strategies and criteria for evaluation and accreditation. This formalized the approval of the subject in the curriculum of the College.
In October and November a crash course was given to professors from the College who belong to the technological and project departments. This was a training course for professors who will be responsible for teaching the subject in the new 2009 curriculum of the College.
XIX Metropolitan Chemistry Olympics
With the purpose of contributing to improve the educational level and encourage interest in the study of chemistry, the College of Chemistry of UNAM organized the Metropolitan Chemistry Olympics directed to young people in the intermediate and high educational levels. In the past three years this Commission has participated as the sponsor of the Olympics, supporting winners of this event in the Metropolitan area (Federal District).
The CIPRES Gang: “Plastics are Part of Your Life”
Trying to strengthen the image of plastics and encourage a responsible culture about waste, the Gang visited on September 29th in the Northern Puebla Mountains, various grammar schools where the messages prepared with respect to environmental care and responsibility in the management of plastic were fully evidenced.
The Gang is a communication element whereby members of CIPRES express their responsible commitment to environmental matters. The Gang promotes the adoption of a culture of care and conservation of the environment.
XI CIPRES FORUM
On November 13th, the 11th Cipres Forum was held focused on “The Sustainability of the Plastic Industry” at El Papalote Children's Museum.
The following are some of the topics that were discussed:
“Current Situation of the Resin Industry in Mexico”
“Environmental Leadership for Competitiveness”
“Culture and Sustainable Consumption”
“Sustainability of Plastic Packing and the Future of the Industry in Latin America”
“Efficient Use of Energy”
Extraordinary speakers participated in this event, with representatives from the business community that are part of the plastic product chain, and also academicians and personnel from the federal government.
Plastics Week at El Papalote Children's Museum
During the 11th Cipres Forum, Plastics Week was launched with enthusiasm and joy at El Papalote Children´s Museum from November 13-19 of 2008. Experiments were set up, also temporary games and exercises, whereby the governing concepts were conveyed as follows:
Plastics and its Importance in Children's Lives.
Different Types of Plastics.
Application of Plastics in Environmental Care.
A Guide for Teachers and a Guide for Children were given to all persons attending this Exhibition, for them to learn more about plastics and about adopting a culture for the responsible management of these materials.
SCHOOL FOR THE TRAINING OF EMERGENCY BRIGADES. (ECBE)
In 2008, all events held, both domestic and international, met the requirements and needs of all the people who attended, in the topic of training for the prevention and handling of emergencies.
With these events, continuity is given to programs that are more and more competitive and have the highest impact. With these, ECBE places itself as the most important organization of its kind in Latin America.
Level of Attendance
In 2008, ECBE trained 2,829 persons who received theoretical and practical training in subjects related to the following:
Fire prevention and Firefighting
Management and Handling of Emergencies with Hazardous Materials
Rescue in Closed Spaces and High Buildings
First aid, and
Civil Protection
Related Events
6th National Brigade Tournament
This event was held from March 13th to March 15th. A total number of 174 participants attended, representing 15 brigades from 12 companies.
The following were the winners of the first three places:
1° Place - Polioles, new champion of the Tournament.
2° Place - Arcelor Mittal
3° Place - Avon Cosmetics
International Courses
Continuity was given to the joint work carried out with Texas A&M University. Courses held were attended by persons from governmental entities and the private sector. These courses were given by internationally certified instructors. The following were the courses held in 2008:
1st International Course on Firefighting
2nd International Course on Urban and Industrial Rescue
3rd International Course on Confined Spaces
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