The Ministry of the Environment and the Estonian Association of Chemical Industry (EACI) today concluded a voluntary agreement with the aim of reducing the volume of pollution emitted into the environment and waste generated as well as the impact of those on the environment, and improve information exchange and mutual understanding. With this agreement, the Estonian Association of Chemical Industry takes the obligation of steering the Responsible Care initiative in Estonia in order to secure disposal of waste and emissions in ways not causing damage to the environment. The EACI also undertakes to promote the initiative so that Estonian chemical industry enterprises would join the action plan of the Responsible Care initiative.Today, Vivacolor Ltd., Silmet Ltd., Viru Keemia Grupp Ltd., Velsicol Eesti Ltd., Kemivesi Ltd., Orto Ltd. and Algol-Estonia Ltd. joined the voluntary Responsible care initiative. The Ministry of the Environment takes the obligation to provide the EACI with information related to its activity and involve the EACI in the process of developing environmental legal acts. Through the EACI, the Ministry of the Environment will receive information concerning the whole chemical industry in Estonia - including data, the submission of which is not directly required by law. The implementation of the Responsible Care initiative in chemical industry enterprises will require higher environmental safety level and more sustainable handling of chemicals than requirements stipulated in legal acts. Additional responsibilities also include regular provision of information to the national and local authorities, the public and interest groups as well as comparison of the achievements between different enterprises and improvement of their activity. Through the voluntary agreement, the Ministry of the Environment will have the possibility to control and manage the activity of chemical industries at a considerably wider scale than has been possible to date by using compulsory means only. For additional information please contact: |
