Substance Register. A Guide to the Organisation and Use ... - Reduce
Substance Register. A Guide to the Organisation and Use ... - Reduce
Substance Register. A Guide to the Organisation and Use ... - Reduce
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1. Old chemicals were s<strong>to</strong>red for years (<strong>the</strong>se were ga<strong>the</strong>red <strong>and</strong> h<strong>and</strong>ed in as chemical waste,or phased out in <strong>the</strong> initial phase of establishing <strong>the</strong> central card file.)2. Great extent of freedom <strong>to</strong> purchase chemicals without checking whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> chemical had<strong>the</strong> status “allowed for use”3. The department lacked a survey of use <strong>and</strong> purchase of chemical materials <strong>and</strong> products.EconomyExperience shows that industries with a well-functioning <strong>Substance</strong> <strong>Register</strong> have positiveresults in reduction of number of products <strong>and</strong> contrac<strong>to</strong>rs. Most companies will be able <strong>to</strong>reduce <strong>the</strong> number of products with 50 - 70%.This means:• less locked-up capital• better prices• fewer invoicesThere is also an increasing dem<strong>and</strong> from both cus<strong>to</strong>mers <strong>and</strong> inves<strong>to</strong>rs for documentationabout <strong>the</strong> conditions in <strong>the</strong> company itself, <strong>and</strong> how <strong>the</strong> company affects <strong>the</strong> environment. Inpractice this means that companies with a <strong>Substance</strong> <strong>Register</strong>, are <strong>the</strong>refore in control of <strong>the</strong>irown use of chemicals, <strong>and</strong> will have competitive advantages. Environmental profile is indem<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> must be documented. In <strong>the</strong> future, <strong>the</strong> winners in trades exposed <strong>to</strong> competition,will be those who have a well-functioning <strong>Substance</strong> <strong>Register</strong>.2. A Company ProjectThe work of constructing, maintaining <strong>and</strong> utilising <strong>the</strong> possibilities in a <strong>Substance</strong> <strong>Register</strong>,has much in common with a traditional quality work. The work must be firmly established in<strong>the</strong> line of comm<strong>and</strong>, <strong>and</strong> attitudes must characterise <strong>the</strong> company <strong>and</strong> be reflected in <strong>the</strong>company culture.The <strong>to</strong>p leader in <strong>the</strong> company (i.e. manager, chief officer, etc.) is responsible for ensuringthat <strong>the</strong> company operates within <strong>the</strong> existing laws <strong>and</strong> regulations. The decision <strong>to</strong> establisha <strong>Substance</strong> <strong>Register</strong> must be made by <strong>the</strong> management of <strong>the</strong> company, <strong>and</strong> must be reflectedin <strong>the</strong> company’s goal for health, environment <strong>and</strong> safety work (HES).The <strong>to</strong>p leader can delegate authority <strong>and</strong> tasks, but he cannot disclaim responsibility, nei<strong>the</strong>r<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> line management nor <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> staff management.2.1. The leader’s role.The <strong>to</strong>p leader is responsible for appointing a leader for <strong>the</strong> project of constructing a<strong>Substance</strong> <strong>Register</strong>, <strong>and</strong> making resources available for <strong>the</strong> work. In addition <strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>p leadermust clarify which unit/department/person is in charge of maintenance, management <strong>and</strong>application of <strong>the</strong> register when it is established (see chap. 3.6 for fur<strong>the</strong>r guidelines on where<strong>the</strong> <strong>Substance</strong> <strong>Register</strong> should be located in <strong>the</strong> company).www.reduce.no 5