Download PDF
September 30, 2014

Successful EOSA Safety Training Webinar Highlights Value of Chemical Consortia Activities

Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.

The benefits of forming or joining a chemical industry consortium go well beyond responding to test rules or other regulatory programs forcing coordination and cooperation among market competitors. B&C® Consortia Management, L.L.C. (BCCM) assists a number of companies that are working together within formal trade groups to achieve industry-wide goals that single companies could not accomplish on their own. These include addressing misperceptions regarding chemical products, highlighting the benefits of chemicals and technologies to regulators, legislators, and the general public, and advocating on behalf of consortia that industry practices fully reflect the highest standards of product stewardship.

Providing comprehensive safety training for chemicals with high hazard characteristics is another critical industry activity that BCCM groups can and have undertaken. As an example — on May 21, 2014, the Ethylene Oxide Sterilization Association, Inc. (EOSA) delivered a webinar, developed for its membership, on Process Safety Management (PSM) and Risk Management for the Ethylene Oxide (EO) sterilization industry. The webinar focused on key elements of the PSM standard and common practices regarding Risk Management Planning (RMP), both standards that the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was required to develop under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments of 1990.

The popular webinar provided the nearly 75 attendees with details on the 14 PSM elements and specific information that is applicable to the EO sterilization community, addressed critical compliance issues, and identified important questions that should be considered by companies when conducting a Process Hazard Analysis (PHA). The webinar provided valuable information to the EOSA membership on an important issue and will be followed by similar efforts on other regulatory and product stewardship matters faced by the EO sterilization industry. To learn more, visit www.eosa.org.

BCCM can assist companies in forming consortia to meet research, testing, regulatory, advocacy, and other shared obligations to promote and advocate issues of shared concern. We provide core management services along the operational hierarchy, from strategic business and legal counsel to basic administrative support. If you are interested in forming or joining consortia, contact Kathleen M. Roberts.