MISSION OVERVIEW
ETAD's mission for a sustainable growth in a colourful world
- Industry cooperation to "minimize impact on health or environment“
- Cost effectiveness without compromising protection
- Representation and advocacy
- Promotion of product stewardship
- Harmonisation of health and environmental regulations
ETAD‘s approach
Since its formation in 1974
- International efforts on environmental and workplace protection
- Development and harmonization of test methods
- Generation of a data base
- Development of SDS format for colorants
- Guidelines to reduce exposure
Enacting a Code of Ethics
- Fulfilling the function of self-regulation ETAD Aims
- Risk- not hazard-based regulations
- No regulations without enforcement
- Harmonisation of necessary regulatory requirements
- Cost-effective regulation
- Reduced regulatory pressures by credible self-regulation
- Code of Ethics
- Guidance documents to ETAD member companies and the user industry
- Advice to members on interpreting regulations
Guidance to ETAD Member Companies on the Implementation of the Code of Ethics
1. Principles of responsible care
2. Safety, health and environment policy
3. Product safety information
3.1. Principles of chemical control and risk assessment
3.2. Hazard classification
3.3. Labelling
3.4. (Material) Safety data sheets (SDS or MSDS)
3.5. Recommendations for formulating a Safety Data Sheet for colorants
3.6. Labelling of certain azo dyes
3.7. ETAD guidance - Labelling of reactive dyes
3.8. ETAD guidance - Labelling of certain disperse dyes
3.9. ETAD guidance - Environmental hazard labelling
3.10. Trace metal limits
4. Education and awareness programs
4.1. ETAD Dye Care®
4.2. Reactive dyes: Mode of action and safe handling
4.3. Colorants and the environment: guidance for the user
5. Other ETAD Publications
6. Code of Ethics
Current Issues
Technical
- PBTs
- REACH
- Consumer risks of dyed textiles
- Future impact of food contact regulations
Strategic
- Strengthening relations with international partners to achieve a consistent global approach
- Increasing benefits of membership
- Membership recognised as benchmark of responsible manufacturers
- Improving Members access to information (ETAD database of Tox-Ecotox data, e-Room)
Modus operandi
- Focus on sector-specific issues
- Science-based
- Ethical stance, based on responsible care
- Cooperative approach with regulators etc.
- Regional structure with coordination at Board level
- Close collaboration on issues with downstream industries and chemical industry partners
Benefits to members
- Access to information e.g. the ETAD database
- Cost-sharing on project work or testing programmes
- Guidance on interpretation of regulatory requirements
- Providing a forum to develop agreed positions
- Building partnerships with downstream user industries
- Building partnerships with other colorant associations