Regulation Set to Transform the Chemical Industry: Preventing Industrial Accidents Is Possible

Turkey's Third-Largest Exporting Sector, the Chemical Industry, Faces a New Era

The Kocaeli Chamber of Industry, representing 27% of Turkey's chemical industry, organized the Process Safety Symposium and Exhibition to discuss new regulations expected to reshape the balance in the chemical sector. Beginning on 14 May 2018 at The Green Park Pendik Hotel and Congress Centre and lasting two days, the Symposium brought together legislators, inspectors, company owners, sector employees, educators and certification bodies.

Chemical Industry Meets New Regulations

The SEVESO Directives, implemented in European Union countries to prevent major industrial accidents and minimize potential damage to people and the environment, will now be applied in Turkey in their most current form. The Ministry of Labor and Social Security has completed its work on a new regulation draft that will reduce the risk of major industrial accidents to one in a million. The Regulation on the Prevention of Major Industrial Accidents and Mitigation of Their Effects, containing the SEVESO Directives expected to be updated in July 2018, will launch a new era in Turkey particularly for the petrochemical, plastics, paints and coatings, cosmetics and insulation materials sectors. When this new regulation discussed at the Process Safety Symposium and Exhibition is updated, companies will face numerous penalties.

High Cost for Companies

Hasan Şerefhan, Chairman of the Process Safety Symposium Organizing Board and Member of the Kocaeli Chamber of Industry Board, noted in his opening address that the chemical sector, one of Turkey's locomotive sectors, must take on new responsibilities for more efficient progress, national security, environmental protection and, above all, human health. Şerefhan stated that during the process of complying with SEVESO Directives, the chemical industry will have to review all its processes, and this will also provide companies with an opportunity to measure their efficiency and make necessary improvements. Pointing out that a major industrial accident can cause massive destruction that could lead to company closure, Şerefhan emphasized that reducing risks to one in a million is critical not only for the country but also for companies themselves. Underlining that compliance costs with SEVESO Directives are extremely high for companies under increasing competitive conditions, Şerefhan shared information that they have negotiated with Ministry officials on what can be done to prevent disruptions in the sector's production processes and on incentive support.

EU Funds Can Be Used for Investments

Çınar Ulusoy, Deputy Chairman of the Kocaeli Chamber of Industry Board of Directors, stated in his opening address that they were very pleased to host such an important event for the sector. Noting that 27% of the chemical industry operates in Kocaeli, Ulusoy informed that Kocaeli is also the province with the most companies falling under the scope of SEVESO Directives. Expressing that there are major investments awaiting companies in the process of harmonizing SEVESO Directives, which are of critical importance for national security, Ulusoy stressed that they have demanded the use of European Union funds or the activation of incentive and support mechanisms on this matter. Ulusoy also announced that they aim to make the Process Safety Symposium and Exhibition, which they organized for the first time this year, a regular event.