Thee Chemical and Allied Industries’ Association (CAIA) and the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) met on 3 December 2015 for the annual review of their memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed in 2009.
In addition to the normal issues, the matter of collaborative efforts to provide dangerous goods training and awareness locally and in the SADC region was placed high on the agenda for the year ahead. Transport collaboration The MOU ensures co-operation in areas of mutual interest and is of strategic importance in terms of the safe handling and transportation of dangerous goods by rail. It affords CAIA and the RSR the opportunity to give input into each other’s relevant functional areas, assist with ensuring safety and environmental protection, assist with the implementation of the Responsible Care Guiding Principles and compliance with relevant legislation and standards by signatories for chemical handling when transporting products by rail. The RSR conveyed its appreciation for the work done by CAIA to promote the safe handling, transport and storage of chemicals, especially for those consignments that are moved by rail.Responsible Care
CAIA launched the Responsible Care initiative in South Africa in 1994. This is the global chemical industry’s unique initiative to improve health, safety and environmental performance and to communicate with stakeholders about products and processes. In addition to this programme, CAIA provides linkages to sustainability in the chemical industries’ value chain through advocacy, training, support of educational drives in maths and science and the advancement of these concepts into sub-Saharan Africa. CAIA is a member of the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), the worldwide voice of the chemical industry, representing chemical manufacturers and producers all over the world and is recognised by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). These international alliances allow the Association to source best practice in training, information, advocacy and legislative compliance.
