The G7 Global Partnership has revised its strategic vision to focus more on chemical weapons, a global culture of chemical security, capacity building and working with industry to raise awareness. In his role as chair of the Chemical Security Working Group, the representative of the Department of Homeland Security stressed the need to engage industry effectively. At that moment, however, ICTA was the only chemical industry representative in the room. It was noted that evidence shows Syria exploited weak links in international supply chains to source substances for their chemical Weapons of Mass Destruction program.

During the meetings the OPCW advised that their program and budget for 2019 had been approved. OPCW is recruiting for ten new posts to support the new work plan. There is broad support for OPCW’s work on verification, national implementation and terrorism, but some political divisions remain as key questions. There was for instance a perception that some members of OPCW sought to block effective OPCW action in response to the use of chemical weapons in Syria and UK (Salisbury). Verification planning in Syria is ongoing, but the planned work budget currently has a €800k shortfall. OPCW is also looking to fund cyber security, business continuity and physical infrastructure.

The EU gave a presentation stating that CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear) threats are real. Internet terrorist propaganda and handbooks are spreading quickly, despite counter efforts. The attack in Salisbury was an eye opener at EU level. It has triggered actions to strengthen resilience to attacks with chemical weapons. The EU has therefore launched a CBRN Centre of Excellence initiative with €156m funding to build capacity. The EU is also developing a common list of threat chemicals, which it has almost finalized and is based primarily on the USA CBRN list. The EU’s next steps is to intensify dialogue with private actors in the precursor supply chain. The EU also wants to improve detection technology and first response capabilities.

On behalf of ICTA, Peter Newport welcomed the redevelopment of an EU list of threat chemicals. He pointed out that the existing list is based on risk perception, not science. He expressed the importance of taking a scientific approach when composing the new list and the importance of sharing the new list with industry. Without information sharing, there can be no effective control of listed substances. It became clear that the EU still concentrates on post supply chain diversion detection technologies, instead of on preventing the diversion in the first place. Meetings have been held with detector technology and equipment vendors, but not yet with chemical vendors. ICTA has expressed its firm belief that the focus should be on preventing diversion.

ICTA will continue to be involved with chemical security in 2019. Chemical security events in Bangladesh and Brussels (for EU & Turkey) took place and are expected to take place in March respectively.

The official report can be found here.

The ISC3 (international sustainable chemistry center of collaboration) has set up an Advisory Board for dialogue on strategic and thematic issues. The ISC3 has asked ICTA President Edgar Nordmann to take a seat in the Advisory Board, which he has accepted. The first meeting of the board in Bonn (Germany) was dedicated to the discussion on the strategy and the work program of the ISC3.

With one of the largest chemical production industries worldwide and a fast growing home market, India is increasingly interesting for ICTA members. At the same time, the Indian chemical distribution market faces challenges relating to safe working conditions, corruption and environmental pollution.

In order to help its members to be successful on the Indian market, ICTA has signed a formal agreement of cooperation with the Indian Chemical Council (ICC). In the agreement, both parties have expressed their commitment to jointly drive improvements in health, safety, product stewardship, security and environmental impacts of chemical products along the supply chain. They will also coordinate their positions when representing the interests of the global chemical distribution industry.

This year Robert Stuyt presented at the ICC Annual Conference on the regulations for the transport of dangerous goods. Next year he will give another presentation to introduce ICTA and its members. ICTA and ICC will jointly determine in the coming months on how to further shape this cooperation.

The ICC was established in 1938 and is dedicated to the growth and promotion of both the chemical production and the chemical distribution industry in India. It already cooperates with ICCA on Responsible Care, which it considers as imperative for sustained growth of business in India. ICC has successfully started the Nicer Globe initiative, which helps chemical distributors in India to transport their goods safely and securely.