The Chemical Industry and Changing Regulatory Rules
The most extensive regulatory rules in the chemical industry are being imposed on businesses in this industry. They need to give the assurance that they are meeting the health and safety guidelines given for the handling of substances. There were two regulatory changes that were introduced in 2007 and 2008, respectively and these are the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) and the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), which are geared toward ensuring safety in healthy working conditions and proper handling of chemicals for workers and consumers.
By providing information for safety handling of chemicals by those who use them, REACH satisfies and manages risks associated with chemical handling. GHS is a system for classifying chemicals and is useful for ensuring safety in handling, using and transporting chemicals. There is, however, a new regulatory change that companies will have to deal with as soon as GHS globally harmonized system of classification and labeling of chemicals is implemented but still has its deadline in 2020. The date is still a long way off but the regulation named SAICM (Strategic Approach for International Chemicals Management) will be requiring companies to diminish negative impact to the environment and human health. This new regulation was developed in 2002 during the Johannesburg World Summit and is a result of the general feeling that the chemical industry need to be accountable in protecting the environment and the people who come in contact with chemicals.
In the United States, chemical companies are required to comply with high regulatory standards like the "Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards" or CFATS. This standard which is mandated by Homeland Security, requires that these chemical companies maintain comprehensive guidelines and audits so that any possible gaps that are found in their safety and security policies and procedures can be addressed. What the CFATS act requires chemical companies is to come up with vulnerability assessments so that possible breeches are reduced with respect to security that could jeopardize the people. Find out more about this through the site at http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/489027/radioactive-isotope This task will take chemical companies months to complete which includes the time and efforts put to support this program.
There are still many chemical plants that uses antiquated systems and processes and there is a vital need to align these companies so that we can be assured of future compliance by them.Whatever changes affect the environment will definitely mean costly changes in the global industry. To assist and aid compliance, technology plays an important role, but many of these companies might not be able to afford to change their systems so as to comply with the new regulations. The only companies that can meet the regulation standards are those companies that continue to face the challenges and take steps, like taking confined space permits, to reduce overall costs and these companies will be able to transition into the future successfully.
