HOW VECAP
WORKS
O4
The VECAP programme calculates an estimation of
potential emissions associated with user and
producer processes and practices, as opposed to
physically measuring emissions from chemical
production processes. Users can however submit their
own values in the emissions calculation tool, whenever
they have available physical measurements or more
accurate data than the default values.
Over a decade of running the programme, the
independent certification of participating users has
been the ultimate step in the continuous improvement
process. Certification was officially recognised in 2009
when a certification scheme was first launched based
on ISO 9000/14001 principles. The scheme was
developed in association with Bureau Veritas, with
environmental audits carried out by independent
auditors. The certification process has been designed
in a way that can be easily implemented so as to
encourage new users’ participation. For SMEs it only
applies to the process and use of best practices, while
for larger companies it can be extended to include their
management system, in line with other standards such
as ISO 14001 or Responsible Care® management
systems. There are currently 11 VECAP certified
manufacturing and user sites worldwide.
VECAP CERtIFICAtIon
USER
PROCEDURES
VECAP
Commitments
External Reporting
Third Party Audit
USER
SELF-AUDIT
SUPPLIER SUPPORT
IMPROVEMENT PLAN
EMISSIONS
REPORT
VECAP
PROCESS
IMPROVEMENT
IMPLEMENTATION
the VECAP process is driven by the principle of continuous
improvement, namely using the experience gained by adapting the
methodology to better address any new issues that may arise. the VECAP
programme focuses on the producers and downstream users of
brominated flame retardants. However, in principle, the VECAP
methodology can be applied to encourage the reduction of emissions
of any type of solid or liquid chemical substance.
VECAP 2013
European Annual
Progress Report
20