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A Message from the CMS Forum Director
Welcome to the Spring 2006 issue of the CMS Insider.
In our Viewpoints from the Field, Professor John Warner, Director of the Center for Green Chemistry at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, discusses the emerging discipline of “green chemistry” and the opportunity to develop products based on a new suite of basic non-toxic chemicals. We are also launching a regular feature on the progress of the European Union’s Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) legislation. Steffen Erler, a chemical risk consultant in the U.K., outlines the current state of the REACH legislation and explains its technical aspects.
CSP is currently engaged in exciting new CMS market development research. Our team has been conducting a survey of current industry standards and best practices in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries. We have also been asked by IGES, a research group established by the Japanese government, to investigate the opportunities for CMS in Japanese companies. Reports from both of these research efforts will be posted on our website in late April
Be sure to mark your calendars for the 10th Annual CMS Workshop in San Francisco on October 25-27, 2006. We are currently developing the agenda and lining up another impressive list of companies and speakers. Be sure to join us in October.
Best wishes for an early Spring!
Jill Kauffman
Johnson
CMS Forum Director
Unintended Consequences
by John Warner, Professor, Plastics Engineering and Community Health and Sustainability Director, Center for Green Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell
In this article, John Warner explores the question “Why do we have toxic materials in our society?” The answer lies in what Warner refers to as a “knowledge gap.” While manufacturing companies try to limit their workers’ exposure to hazardous materials, they do not always have nontoxic alternatives at their disposal. Chemists do not currently know how to create non-toxic substitutes to replace existing toxics. The evolving field of green chemistry seeks to fill this gap. Read
more.
Implementing REACH
by Steffen Erler, Chemical Risk Consultant
This article has been written under personal title and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Commission.
Although EU legislators have yet to agree on the final text, regulatory activities for implementing REACH continue to gain momentum. As the most complex single piece of chemical regulation ever devised, understanding and tracking the technical aspects of the legislation prove fundamental to improving corporate preparedness. As the official start to implementation draws near, corporate and regulatory activities will intensify. Read
more.
Lansing School District CMS Pilot Program
The Lansing, Michigan K-12 School District has awarded a CMS/Resource Management contract to Chemico Systems. Under a Resource Conservation Challenge Grant, CSP assisted Lansing in evaluating whether CMS combined with waste services (Resource Management) could help reduce chemical use, reduce waste generation, and enhance recycling. With the help of Chemico Systems, the school district is now gearing up to implement the first CMS/Resource Management program in a K-12 setting.
Two Industry Days Held for Privatization of several chemical classes under BRAC
Under the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC) of 1990, the BRAC Commission’s recommendation to privatize the supply, storage, and distribution of specified chemicals became law on November 8, 2005. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) plans to transform the way it orders, receives, accounts for, distributes, and disposes of chemicals for its customers. The scope includes packaged petroleum, oil, lubricants (POLs), compressed gases, cylinders, and chemicals. The Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR) will lead the DLA in this effort by transforming the chemical supply chain through reductions in chemical use, waste, and lifecycle costs, for DLA’s customers. DLA’s intention is to leverage the commercial industry and implement regional chemical management services programs across the U.S. For more information on this effort, please visit the following website: http://www.dscr.dla.mil/UserWeb/FAGA/index.html, under “Specialized Support,” click on “Privatization Efforts.” For specific questions about this project, please contact Mike Wisk, Acquisition Specialist, Michael.Wisk@dla.mil, or Wes Forbess, Acquisition Specialist, Robert.Forbess@dla.mil.
CSP Initiates Pharmaceutical and Biotech CMS Benchmark Study
CSP has been approached by biotech and pharmaceutical companies interested in improved chemical management. Due to this interest and the successful introduction of CMS in the university/research sector, CSP believes the time is right to begin a targeted educational and market development effort. We are evaluating current sector standards and best practices in chemical management, and will write a brief white paper outlining the current state of chemical management and opportunities/challenges for introducing CMS. The report will be available on our website by the end of April.
CSP Assesses the Feasibility of CMS in Japan
On behalf of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), an environmental research institute established by the Japanese government, CSP is investigating CMS opportunities in Japanese markets. CSP is interviewing CMS Providers and Japanese firms on chemical management strategies and systems at Japanese electronics and automotive companies. CSP will complete its study this spring, and results of the research will be published on our website in late April.
Thames Water / Ciba Specialty Chemicals Project
As part of a pilot program with CSP, Ciba has been working with Thames Water to test CMS and has already shown significant cost savings in one of its major sewage processes. As a result, both companies have been able to boost their profits by sharing the achieved savings. On April 26, CSP and International eChem will facilitate a seminar in Bradford, UK to discuss the results of this pilot study. View the agenda.
2005 CMS Workshop Presentations Available Online
Selected PowerPoint presentations from the October 2005 CMS Workshop are now available online. View the Presentations.
Services Cut Buyers’ Costs
A review of Purchasing's Top 100 Chemical Distributors over the past three years finds that 85% provide services beyond delivery and warehousing. Sixty-five percent of the Top 100 offer blending services, 50% include contract packaging as part of their service offering, and 45% provide technical training to customers. The Top 100 also routinely offer safety training, customer product research, hazardous waste removal, and solvent reclamation services. Read more.
California “Green Chemistry” Report
A University of California research team assembled by the State Legislature has recommended the State adopt a “modern, comprehensive chemicals policy” as a key strategy to place California on the path to sustainability. Two Senate and Assembly committees commissioned the report to obtain advice on what role California should play in regulating toxic compounds. The report is the first in the nation to establish a state framework for a move toward "green chemistry.” Download the report.
Dow Chemical Addresses Supply Chain Security
With supply chain security a major priority for the world’s chemical companies, knowing how an industry leader is addressing the issue can serve as a benchmark for others. Henry Ward, director of transportation safety and security for Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan, answers pertinent questions about Dow’s security practices and its collaborative efforts with transportation providers and government agencies. Read
more.
Bayer, BASF Among First Companies to Sign Responsible Care Global Charter
Bayer and BASF are among the first companies worldwide to sign the Responsible Care Global Charter, aimed at minimizing the environmental impact of chemicals developed by the health care industry. The charter, presented at the U.N.’s International Conference on Chemicals Management in Dubai, contains several principles geared toward the long-term improvement of risk assessment, risk management, and information on products and their safe handling. Read
more.
U. Mass Lowell Website a Resource on New Chemicals Policy
The Lowell Center for Sustainable Production has launched a Chemical Policy Initiative, a project which promotes scientifically sound tools and policies to support the use of chemicals and materials that protect human health and the environment. The website provides up-to-date information on chemicals policy and legislation including REACH, GHS, SAICM, and an introduction to U.S. federal and state chemicals policy. View the website.
The CMS Forum Welcomes a New Member: Waste Management
The CMS Forum recently welcomed Waste Management as a new member. We look forward to their participation in the Forum. View CMS Forum Members.
Chemical Safety Software Offers Hosted Services for its Integrated EMS Software
Chemical Safety Software now offers a new generation of hosted technology services. These online services provide a cost-effective, no commitment, and instant solution for organizations’ Facility Operations, Chemical Management, Waste Management, and Safety and Regulatory Compliance needs. Read more.
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Founding
Member
 Haas
TCM
Members
AVChem
Castrol
Industrial North
America
Chemico
Systems
Chemical Safety Corporation
DaimlerChrysler
Corporation
Dana
Corporation
Delta
Air Lines
Dolphin
Software
Fisher
Scientific
General
Motors Corporation
Henkel
Chemical Management
Houghton
International
Illinois
State University
Illinois
Waste Management
and
Research Center
PPG
Industries
Raytheon
Company
Rockwell
Collins
Seagate
Technology
Society
of Tribologists and
Lubrication
Engineers
Solution
Recovery
Services
United
Technologies Corp.
Waste Management New!
2006
Event Highlights
CMS Forum members and the Chemical Strategies Partnership speak
at or participate in many conferences each year. A list of these
for 2006 include:
Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools National Symposium
January 12-14, 2006
Washington, DC
12th Annual PIBA Conference
March 9, 2006
Union City, California
AF&PA Chemical and Product Stewardship Committee Meeting
March 7, 2006
Washington, DC
California Chemical Policy Symposium
March 16-17, 2006
Oakland, CA
AIHA Conference
May 13-18, 2006
Chicago, IL
Adding Value with Chemical Management Services
April 26, 2006
Bradford, UK
Campus Safety Health and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA) 2006
July 15-19, 2006
Anaheim, California
10th Annual CMS Workshop
October 25-27, 2006
San Francisco, CA
The Net Impact 2006 Conference
October 27-29, 2006
Northwestern University Evanston, IL
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