This document summarizes the concluding remarks from Day 2 of the Helsinki Chemicals Forum 2016. It discusses the following key points from the day's panels: 1. Safety should remain the top priority for chemical plants, and targets need to be set aggressively while also preparing for incidents and continually improving safety practices. 2. Better integration of chemical plant safety with other policies and more systematic use of new hazard and safety data on substances were discussed. 3. Addressing hazardous chemicals in complex product supply chains like construction requires a holistic approach considering materials, chemicals exposures, and sustainable material cycles. 4. Coherent and consistent product policies, technical standards, and information sharing can help tackle chemicals of high concern and

1. Helsinki Chemicals Forum 2016
Concluding Remarks
Day 2
Jukka Malm
European Chemicals Agency

2. Plant Safety – Is it taking a
back seat to economic
pressures
Panel 4

3. Keep safety in the front seat
• Set agressive targets – but incidents do occur
• Minimise accident likelihood, extent and effects
• Cycle of: Prevent – prepare – respond – learn
• Systematic risk assessment and prevention pays
off – economic, environmental and social benefits
• Safety culture throughout the organisation
• Role of leadership and management systems
• No tick box – continuous improvement
• Public participation, risk communication
3

4. 4
Discussion topics
• How to better integrate chemicals plant safety
with other policies?
• Chemicals safety - More systematic use of newly
generated hazard and safety information on substances?
• Link to Circular Economy?
• Combating international terrorism
• Consider cultural differences in engagement with
local communities
• Identify elements that can disturb the continual
improvement

5. How to tackle chemicals of
high concern in products –
The construction sector as
a case study
Panel 5

6. Key themes
• Hazardous substances as part of a multi-
dimensional, complex issue – holistic approach
• Safe, healthy and sustainable buildings
• Materials vs chemicals
• Circular economy – non-toxic material cycles
• Complex supply chains – long life cycles
• Chemical safety – combined exposures
• Coherence across product policies
6

7. 7
Windows of opportunity
• Coherent and consistent product policies
• Technical standards, ecolabelling, ecodesign, green
public procurement
• More systematic use of newly generated hazard
and safety information on substances
• Sharing of approaches, workload and
experiences, avoid duplication
• Piloting and partnership with forerunners

8. Towards sustainability and green
growth via holistic and integrated
approaches
8

9. 9

10. Thank you!
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jukka.malm@echa.europa.eu