This week, ICC attended the 33rd Annual Conference and Exposition of the Dangerous Goods Advisory Committee (DGAC), one of the largest trade associations for organizations involved in dangerous goods. The conference, which was held in Tampa, Florida, was well attended by shippers and carriers, as well as companies providing services such as emergency response. ICC’s own Karrie Monette-Ishmael and Barbara Foster were among the exhibitors showing their latest products and services.

The program started with a keynote address from Tim Butters, the Deputy Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). He described how PHMSA was “trying to reopen lines of communication with industry,” that may have been damaged in recent years, and discussed some of their important work on safety and security.

The program itself provided many informative and challenging sessions. Workshops gave a hands-on look at such diverse topics as writing closure instructions for packaging, and compatibility issues between chemicals and packaging. Regulators from North America and Europe gave overviews of issues and upcoming changes to the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, the Hazardous Materials Regulations of 49 CFR, and other related regulations. Speakers from industry were present to give insight into topics such as classification of environmentally hazardous substances. The ever-problematic issue of lithium batteries was addressed by Bob Richard, former Deputy Administrator of PHMSA and now with Labelmaster Services.

A new feature this year (and one that was a big hit!) was a chance to “speed date the regulators”. Participants could choose representatives from various departments for short discussions in small groups about specific topics of concern.

This was the last conference for the current DGAC President, Mike Morrissette. After many years of service in the dangerous goods field, Mike is retiring. ICC wishes him a happy retirement, and thanks him for his years of untiring support for all of us in the industry. We also congratulate the incoming President, Vaughn Arthur, and look forward to working with him.

ICC is a proud supporter of DGAC, one of the best sources for companies involved with goods/hazardous materials to learn about upcoming regulations, and touch base with the people who create them. Check DGAC out at http://www.dgac.org for more information about this great organization, and consider attending next year’s conference, which will be held in Nashville, Tennessee on October 15-17, 2012.

This is a first in Canada.

Montréal, September 15, 2011 – Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ) is pleased to announce the launch of the Voluntary Code for the Optimization of Containers, Packaging and Printed Matter intended for companies targeted by the curbside recycling compensation plan. Inspired from international experience, it is the Canadian industry’s first voluntary initiative. The Voluntary Code was developed by ÉEQ in cooperation with contributing companies and ecodesign experts.

Source: Éco Entreprises Québec’s Project page.

The Voluntary Code uses a progressive, two-phase approach to packaging optimization. The first phase addresses specific business sectors starting with the Food and Health & Beauty sectors, which produce 80% of packaged products marketed in Quebec. By 2015, all business sectors targeted by the compensation plan will be covered by the Voluntary Code, therefore providing all companies with a framework to optimize their containers, packaging and printed matter.

“Today’s market offers companies a whole array of packaging to choose from. Companies should make packaging choices that take into account the overall impact on recycling streams and, given their legal obligation to finance the net costs of municipal curbside recycling programs, it is in their interest to make wise choices. The Voluntary Code provides a framework for continuous improvement that is based on proven strategies. In addition, ÉEQ will provide companies with guidance as they develop their initiatives. The results of those efforts will be consolidated on a yearly basis and exemplary practices shared publicly,” said Maryse Vermette, ÉEQ President and CEO.

How it’s done: Three areas for action, seven proposed strategies:

The Voluntary Code uses a framework approach based on the life cycle of the packaged product and areas for action that focus on reduction at the source, ecodesign and recyclability. The proposed seven strategies guide companies in developing their optimization initiative: life cycle thinking, adopting responsible procurement criteria, improving the packaging/product ratio, designing for transport, improving the usage scenario, improving recyclability and communications.

We’re committed – We’re signing on!

The signatories of the Voluntary Code will lighten their environmental footprint by taking concrete individual action. “Voluntary measures are a better option because they encourage companies to take responsibility and implement improvements that are adapted to their individual reality. In addition, they can respond to consumer demand,” explained Denis Brisebois, ÉEQ Board Chairman.

The first signatories of the Voluntary Code are, in alphabetical order:

• A. Lassonde inc.
• Cascades Inc.
• Costco Wholesale Canada Ltd.
• Group Biscuits Leclerc Inc.
• Lavo Inc.
• Le Groupe Fruits & Passion
• Métro Richelieu inc.
• Olymel L.P.
• Provigo, member of Loblaw group
• Sobeys Québec
• Société des alcools du Québec

For more information, see ÉEQ’s website at: www.ecoentreprises.qc.ca.

About Éco Entreprises Québec
Éco Entreprises Québec is a private, non-profit organization. ÉEQ’s mission is to represent companies with regard to their responsibility to finance their share of the net costs of municipal curbside recycling, establish reasonable fees to ensure program financing and, in partnership with other stakeholders, promote efforts to increase the quantities of recovered materials through curbside recycling at the lowest possible cost.

Source:
Maryse Vermette
President and C.E.O.
Éco Entreprises Québec

Some questions for you to ponder regarding ERAPs:

• does your company have an emergency response assistance plan (ERAP)?
• has it been reviewed by Transport Canada?
• do you use a third party provider to provide the technical information?
• do you use a third party provider to respond to the incident site for remediation?

If you are using a third party for incident response, have you:

• recently audited the provider?
• ensured that they have the proper tools to handle your products?
• provided training on your products?
• ensured that they have the proper equipment, i.e. UN specification packaging, correct specification tankage, hoses, couplings, etc.?
• checked that they are following the closure instructions for the UN specification packaging?
• checked to make sure that they are providing the right technical information?
• checked to make sure that they can respond to wherever the incident is?

Keep in mind that when there is a dangerous goods incident involving an ERAP, it is the ERAP holder who is held responsible for the emergency response.

Are YOU prepared for any emergency?