NewsBrief
No.49 - September 2005		TM

1985 – “The Way We Were”!

More than 150 Members and their guests were treated to anecdotes from Founder and Life Member Fred Holland, describing the Council’s establishment and evolution from its inception in September 1985.

Paying tribute to the first Executive Committee, Fred noted the Aim and the Objectives determined by that first group are still relevant, confirming the Committee’s foresight and pioneering appreciation of the issues reflected in the global chemical industry’s embryonic Responsible Care ® ethic.

Fred spoke of the ICI Warehouse Fire, Parnell Fumes Incident, and the Revertex Fire; major incidents which motivated the chief executives of New Zealand’s leading chemical suppliers to establish the Council. The desire to improve Workplace Health and Safety and Environmental performance, and overcome the poor reputation of the chemical industry following these widely publicised incidents, quickly attracted 124 Members.

Despite the modest size of our chemical industry, the NZCIC became the fourth Association in the world (after Canada, the United States, and Australia) to adopt Responsible Care ® .

Fred applauded the Council’s achievements, highlighting the sought-after products and services which enable both Members and non-Members alike to demonstrate compliance with increasingly complex regulations. He expressed his satisfaction and great pride in how a small, voluntary business association has evolved into the effective and highly-regarded Industry representative and service provider we have today.

Following his address, Fred was confronted with a large birthday cake, ablaze with 20 candles. Having valiantly extinguished the conflagration, Fred ceremoniously cut the cake to enthusiastic applause from Members and their guests.

“The Long and Winding Road”

Once again, the Hazardous Substances Regulations took centre stage at the 2005 Conference. The 150 Members and their guests enjoyed presentations which examined the prolonged and tortuous journey towards compliance with increasingly complex and confusing regulations. This year, the focus is on “Compliance Tools”. Our expert presenters were invited to highlight key aspects of the Regulations which are either not yet in place, or not yet effective, thereby frustrating Members seeking to voluntarily and progressively demonstrate compliance, as well as the Enforcement agencies

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