News

Hauliers in the chemicals industry have been asked to sign up to a Responsible Care initiative that is designed to instil best practice among operators. The UK chemical industry already has a Responsible Care scheme, but the European Chemical Transport Association (ECTA) has signed an agreement with the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic ) to adapt the programme for the European transport industry.

ECTA logistics manager Rose-Marie Pype says the programme will include the health and safety aspects of transporting chemicals, as well as how drivers can be trained. ECTA members signing up to the scheme will have to pay €1,000 (£800), but the fee for non-ECTA members will be higher.

Colin Rutherford, operations director for chemicals at TDG, says there is already an industry Responsible Care programme in the UK, developed and supported by the Chemical Businesses Association (CBA).

"The suggestion of rolling out a similar structured responsible care programme across Europe is a good one – the regulations governing the transportation and storage of hazardous goods are becoming ever more stringent, particularly with the changes to ADR regulations in 2009. Even under current regulations, there are some carriers  who ignore best practice within the industry, in an attempt to maintain low rates."

TDG is already a member of the UK scheme and Rutherford says it would be a natural extension for the logistics provider to join the European scheme.