The chemicals industry is essential to the operation of a modern, industrialised society. However, this simple truth is often overshadowed by public concern with regard to the usage, storage and disposition of the industry’s products and by-products. Past incidents involving industrial accidents and, in some cases, environmental malfeasance have fed this concern. But during the past 20 years, the chemicals industry has made tremendous strides in becoming a good corporate citizen on issues of public health, worker safety, and environmental protection. Given the nature of its business — transforming sometimes dangerous raw materials into other products —
Sustainable business solutions group (SBS) regulations must be an ongoing commitment.
New challenges continue to emerge. In the European Union, the proposed REACH legislation will require importers or manufacturers of chemical substances to provide extensive health and environmental data on many of their products. In China, international manufacturers doing business are held to a stricter regulatory standard than their domestic Chinese counterparts. And as the industry develops and matures in other developing countries, EHS regulations will change and evolve with it.
The chemical industry is wise to respond convincingly to the compliance challenges it faces. In a survey sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Reputation Institute, a quarter of US consumers said that when they didn't agree with a company’s policies and actions they boycotted that company's products and urged others to do so as well. The message is clear: a reputation for non-compliance with EHS regulations puts profits at risk.
How PricewaterhouseCoopers can help you
PricewaterhouseCoopers helps clients deal with a wide range of EHS issues. We provide assistance with EHS compliance and audit programs, environmental performance reporting, and litigation support. We also provide broader risk management services through our Global Environmental Services (GES) practice. GES helps clients understand the environmental impact, risks and opportunities they face, and define a corresponding environmental management strategy. GES services include environmental reviews, due diligence, and legal and regulatory watch services.
