CEFIC reports on sustainability but leaves out chemicals
CEFIC reports on environmental key performance indicators such as energy efficiency, emissions, waste and water use. But, chemicals, the products this sector manufactures, are not covered. Information about volumes of hazardous substances produced or developments towards safer alternatives are missing.
– We welcome the fact that CEFIC reports on sustainability, however we do think that it is important that chemicals are also included, and we call on CEFIC as well as individual chemical producers to incorporate their core business in their sustainability thinking and reporting, says Anne-Sofie Andersson, ChemSec director.
ChemSec last week published a Chemicals Criteria Catalogue highlighting a list of ways that chemical-producing company can improve their chemicals management.
– The criteria catalogue is a tool to enable financial investors to evaluate the performance of the chemical industry, but can also be used by the sector itself. It can help companies to identify key areas were it is possible to move towards a more sustainable chemical portfolio and thereby be prepared for how the market will develop over the next decade, says Sonja Haider, ChemSec business and investors advisor.
In its sustainability report, CEFIC describes the European chemicals regulation REACH as the "centerpiece of Europe´s robust legislative framework", "an important driver for sustainability" and says that REACH "increasingly can be seen as a reference in other regions and allows the European chemical industry to differentiate itself based on the fact that its processes and product portfolio meet stringent requirements. Our member companies can use this as a selling point [...]"
– We have always been convinced that the European chemical industry, with a relatively large amount of information about their chemical portfolio, can benefit from REACH. We welcome the fact that CEFIC, who opposed REACH during the discussions leading up to the new legislation, now also shares this view, comments Sonja Haider, ChemSec business and investors advisor.
CEFIC also values the transparency REACH creates, stating that "new innovative products coming on to the European market will comply with REACH. In this sense REACH helps increase transparency about chemicals and their use in Europe, which ultimately benefits consumers."
The chemical industry in Europe: Towards Sustainability. 2011/12 Report
Read more about the Chemicals Criteria Catalogue