INTRODUCTION
the Voluntary Emissions Control Action Programme (VECAP)
1
,
a successful environmental management initiative, is run by the
European Flame Retardants Association (EFRA)
2
under the principles
of Responsible Care®
3
. this pioneering product stewardship scheme
was established in 2004 by the three main producers of flame
retardants
4
and the uK textile Finishers Association (tFA) in
partnership with their users in order to ensure the environmentally
sound management of chemicals through the value chain.
IntRoDuCtIon to VECAP
tHE PRogRAMME
VECAP aims to reduce the potential for emissions
of flame retardants during the manufacturing
stage by promoting environmental good practice
among producers and downstream users. The
programme reduces emissions to the environment by:
Increasing understanding of chemicals
management in the value chain
Promoting and facilitating open and
constructive dialogue with industry,
regulators and other stakeholders
Raising awareness among all those
involved throughout the process, from site
personnel to company top management
Applying and promoting best practices
identified through the programme
The programme does not currently deal with
potential emissions during the service life of
products or after their disposal; however, the
flame retardant industry is actively involved in
end-of-life issues management
5
.
The programme helps users to implement best
practices and to make continuous improvements
by encouraging the user to adopt the industry’s
Code of Good Practice, outlining Best Available
Techniques (BATs). The Code of Good Practice
6
and BATs
7/8
help to make health, safety and the
protection of the environment an integral part of
all day-to-day activities of processes involving
flame retardants.
A CoDE oF gooD PRACtICE
1
Voluntary Emission Control Action Programme
www.vecap.info
2
EFRA is a sector group of the European Chemical Industry Council
(CEFIC)
www.flameretardants.eu
3
Responsible Care® is the global chemical industry’s unique
initiative to improve health, environmental performance, enhance
security, and to communicate with stakeholders about products and
processes
www.cefic.org/Responsible-Care
4
Albemarle, Chemtura, ICL-IP
www.albemarle.com,
www.greatlakes.com, www.icl-ip.com
5
EFRA, End-of-Life section
http://www.cefic-
efra.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=97&Ite
mid=242&lang=en
6
Available at
http://www.vecap.info/uploads/Managing%20Emissions_light_UK
%28new%20picture%29.pdf
7
Best Available Techniques for emptying bags containing polymer
additives
http://www.vecap.info/uploads/Empty_bags_UK_04-
04_v2.pdf
8
Best Available Techniques for emptying Intermediate Bulk
Containers (IBC) drums or small containers containing chemicals
http://www.vecap.info/uploads/IBC%20broshure_EN-final_30-8-
13.pdf
VECAP 2013
European Annual
Progress Report
5