Mr. Xu Qingshan, the associate Director of the Environmental Protection Bureau of Hangzhou City giving Keynote Speech at the Forum (photo was provided by Greenpeace East Asia).
The China-EU Industry Forum on Safer Chemical Substitution (ChemLinked news release 25 Jan 2013) successfully concluded in Hangzhou on 25th Mar 2013.
The Forum was co-organized by Greenpeace and ChemSec with the ultimate goal to shift the approach of toxic chemical management from endpoint measures to source substitutions. The main theme of the conference focused on adoption of prophylactic chemical substitutions at early stages of the production process which greatly reduce downstream pollution.
Speeches were given by professionals in the field of toxic chemical substitutions, including experts from Chinese legislative departments, NGOs, trainers and campaigners, as well as industry representatives. The audience was made up of a diverse range of experts with varying backgrounds with a particularly large presence coming from the textile industry.
The conference kicked off with a presentation delivered by Mr. Xu Qingshan, the associate Director of the Environmental Protection Bureau of Hangzhou City. Mr Qingshan emphasized the need for tighter environmental controls and also stressed the need for reducing pollution. Mr Qingshan reassured the audience that Hangzhou city will conscientiously enforce the prevention and control acts governing 6 major polluting industries. The EPB director went on to proudly outline some of the specific initiatives and technological advancements set for introduction in Hangzhou. In an effort to solidify adherence to regulations regarding discharge and disposal of waste byproducts, a new electronic monitoring system has been developed. The new system will utilize swipe cards that both electronically record and validate all waste product disposal activities. The system, together with the upcoming overhaul of chemical manufacturing facilities across Hangzhou City, is expected to increase the accountability of producers and allow more stringent application of new regulations.
Also present at the conference was Mr. Li Boyang from the China Center for Information Industry Development, Institute of Industry Energy Conservation and Environment Protection. Mr. Li was involved in drafting the MIIT 2012 “List of Substitutes to Toxic and Hazardous Substances” which aims to reduce the use of 81 hazardous chemicals HCs) (ChemLinked news release 28 Jan 2013). In his presentation, Mr Li briefly introduced the origins of the MIIT. This was followed by a detailed elaboration of five key aspects of the toxic chemical substitution work carried out by the MIIT at present. The five focuses are as are listed as follows
Necessity of substitution of toxics and hazardous substances in China;
Overall strategies and ideas adopted by MIIT;
Submission, assessment and publication of the first MIIT “List of Substitutes to Toxic and Hazardous Substances”;
Advantages and limitations of the current substitution list;
Plan for the next stage.
Dr Anna Lennquist ChemSec’s toxicologist and SUBSPORT program trainer shared her personal insights and shared a large volume of useful information and resources designed to provide companies with greener alternatives to their current production practices. Dr.Lennquist outlined the role of the SUBSPORT program stating that the goal was “Develop an internet portal that constitutes a state-of-the-art resource on safer alternatives to hazardous chemicals”. Please refer to ChemLinked news release 25 Jan 2013 for further information about the SUBSPORT program.
Ms. Wu Yixiu, a senior Campaigner of Greenpeace East Asia outlined ongoing efforts made by Greenpeace in chemical substitution in textile industry. The presentation stressed the idea of eliminating sources of pollution early in the production chain and also emphasized the need for transparency and public information disclosure regarding toxic chemicals utilized in the entire textile supply chain. For more information regarding this issue, please refer the article written by Ms Wu published on ChemLinked China Acknowledges ‘Cancer Villages’, Unveils ‘Breakthrough’ Chemical Plan .
Dr Gong Yan from the Technology and Standard of Environmental Protection Research Professional Committee, All-China Environment Federation (ACEF) made a presentation outlining approaches for chemicals restriction and substitution in textile industry. As an eminent expert and legislator in this field, Dr Gong succinctly outlined chemical management trend in China’s textile industry. Dr Gong highlighted waste byproducts and discharges from the textile industry as major contributors to water and air pollution in China. According to Dr Gong the recent 2012 revision of the “Water Pollutant Discharge Standard for Dyeing and Finishing of Textile Industry” would soon be followed by the“Air Pollutant Discharge Standard for Dyeing and Finishing of Textile Industry” which the ACEF was currently working on.
DSM’s director of sustainability Fredric Petit introduced DSM’s initiative “Bright Science Brighter Living”. DSM’s business model is linking a pro-active ingredients policy with sustainability.
In the final case sharing session, Ms. Lydia Lin from C&A and Mr. Wang Jing from DSM outlined examples of success stories involving chemical substitution and outlined the practical examples where substitutions were implemented.
ChemLinked reporters have initiated some in-depth interviews with the speakers after the Forum, please stay tuned for the upcoming reports.
