New Regulation Looms for Industrial Companies: Compliance with Seveso Directives to Become Mandatory

SEVESO Directives Implementation to Begin in Turkey to Prevent Major Industrial Accidents Causing Loss of Life and Environmental Damage Turkey will begin implementing SEVESO Directives to minimise major industrial accident risks such as fires, explosions and toxic substance releases. SEVESO Directives are aimed at preventing major industrial accidents in facilities containing hazardous substances and minimising potential damage to people and the environment. They include measures to provide high-level, effective and continuous protection.

Companies failing to comply face production shutdown penalties

Organisations must first conduct risk assessments by identifying potential hazards. Following the risk assessment process, necessary measures will be determined and required investments made. Companies will measure the effectiveness of implemented measures through their own internal audit mechanisms, while state authorities will ensure the sustainability of this system through inspections at regular intervals. Companies failing to meet their obligations may face sanctions ranging from warnings to production shutdowns.

Companies to become familiar with SEVESO

Kocaeli Chamber of Industry will hold the Process Safety Symposium and Exhibition on 14-15 May 2018 to introduce industrial companies to the SEVESO Directives, which are new for the sector. The event, which will bring together government, civil society, universities and the private sector, will outline what awaits companies under the scope of SEVESO Directives.

Safety reports must be prepared

Emphasising that industrial establishments must take steps compliant with SEVESO Directives before making long-term investments, Process Safety Symposium Organising Board Spokesperson and Polisan Kimya General Manager Necati Bülent Hakoğlu stated that companies must prepare safety reports and emergency action plans. Hakoğlu reported that work continues on making SEVESO mandatory in Turkey and that compliance requirements will be introduced shortly. He added that companies which begin necessary preparations on this matter now will have an advantage. Hakoğlu stated: "When considering the environmental impact of major industrial accidents, measures to be taken according to SEVESO Directives should be viewed as leaving a cleaner living opportunity for future generations and fulfilling responsibility to society."