As part of its commitment to Responsible
Care®
1
, the European Flame Retardant
Association (EFRA)
2
, a sector group of the
European Chemical Industry Council
(CEFIC)
3
, operates the Voluntary Emissions
Control Action Programme (VECAP)
4
. This
innovative environmental management
initiative was established by the three
main producers of flame retardants
5
,
in partnership with user industries, to
ensure better management of substances
throughout the value chain.
VECAP aims to reduce the potential for emissions
of flame retardants by raising awareness of
responsible substance management and by
promoting environmental best practice, from
producers to downstream users, in the
workplace. Although this programme does
not deal with potential emissions during the
service life of products or after their disposal,
the flame retardant industry is actively involved
in end-of-life issues management
6
.
Since the inception of the programme in 2004,
potential emissions of flame retardants have
been reduced across the three main producers’
product groups. This was validated in 2012 and
reflects the scheme’s ongoing success in raising
awareness of chemicals management among users
in the value chain. The VECAP initiative has grown
into a global product stewardship programme
enabling the three leading flame retardant
producers and many small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) to manage potential emissions
of flame retardants, above and beyond
regulatory requirements.
Flame retardants are substances that are
incorporated into materials such as plastics and
textiles. Flame retardants fulfill vital functions:
they can either delay the start of a developing fire,
slow down the combustion process or make the
material self-extinguishing. The use of flame
retardants is critical in providing people with more
time to escape from fires and fire fighters with
additional time to respond. They are commonly
used in many domestic and industrial appliances
such as computers, TVs, mobile phones,
mattresses, upholstered furniture, transportation,
construction and insulation boards in order to
comply with fire safety standards.
VECAP is a programme for reducing emissions
to the environment by:
Increasing an 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 in the process, from site personnel
to company top management
Implementing and disseminating best
practices identified through the programme
The Voluntary Emissions Control Action Programme
ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT 2012
2
1
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
2
European Flame Retardant Association
www.flameretardants.eu
3
European Chemical Industry Council
www.cefic.org
4
Voluntary Emissions Control Action Programme
www.vecap.info
5
Albemarle, Chemtura, ICL-IP
www.albemarle.com
,
www.greatlakes.com
,
www.icl-ip.com
6
EFRA, End of Life section
www.cefic-efra.com/index.php?option=com_
content&view=article&id=97&Itemid=242&lang=en
Introduction
to VECAP