Responsible chemical management is fast becoming an absolute requirement for any brand or retailer as part of a sustainable product offering. This is invariably placing pressure on upstream manufacturers to provide products that are produced in the absence of hazardous chemistry. This means an additional effort around chemical management for the entire upstream supply chain including chemical procurement, storage, handling and use, and waste management.
One area which is gaining focus is how to impose ‘best practice chemical management’ at the manufacturing facilities; the current restricted chemical regulations for finished products are extensive. However, in spite of this, compliance to regulations in multiple jurisdictions could still allow for the use of hazardous chemistry in manufacturing, with adhesives and solvents as a good example.
Best practice chemical management would include the following considerations:
The responsible use of chemicals requires a holistic viewpoint taking into account the entire life cycle of the product involving the whole value chain.
In addition, popular industry-lead responsible chemical management schemes such as Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) encourage brands and retailers to work with manufacturers and suppliers to eliminate the use of harmful chemicals in production.
The ZDHC approved Chem-MAP® system encourages businesses in the leather, textiles and synthetics supply chain to develop systems for responsible chemical management through specifically designed programmes:
Chem-MAP Programme for Manufacturers
Manufacturers are supported through on-site chemical management audits and staff training. Completion of the programme enables manufacturers to achieve the Chem-MAP® Approved Manufacturers (CAM) award, and staff on-site have the opportunity to achieve the Level 1 or Level 2 Chem-MAP® Approved Technician (CAT) award.
Read more about the Chem-MAP Programme for Manufacturers
Chem-MAP Programme for Brands and Retailers
Brands and retailers who engage with the Chem-MAP Programme are encouraged to develop responsible chemical management through an audit of existing systems. Benchmarking and gap analysis of RSLs and MRSLs are carried out as part of the Programme against industry leaders and best practice guidelines. As a result of these activities, brands and retailers achieve a score which is designed to progress in line with the development of chemical management systems.
Read more about the Chem-MAP Programme for Brands and Retailers
For more information on how BLC can support with managing chemical risk and developing chemical management systems through Chem-MAP®, please email info@chem-map.com, telephone +44 (0) 1604 679 999 or complete the web form at the bottom of this page.
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Published 24th April 2024 Read more
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