India's Chemical Industry Body Wins Prestigious OPCW The Hague Award
New Delhi: The Indian Chemical Council (ICC) has been conferred the 2024 OPCW The Hague Award, recognizing its significant contributions to advancing chemical safety, compliance with international agreements, and enhancing industry-wide security practices in India.
The award was given at a ceremony held during the 29th Session of the Conference of the States Parties (CSP) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, Netherlands, on November 25.
Since its establishment in 2014, the OPCW The Hague Award has acknowledged individuals and organizations that make substantial efforts to progress the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). As an initial signatory to the CWC, India continues to implement this international agreement through the National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC).
With representation from over 80 per cent of the Indian chemical industry, valued at $220 billion, ICC strives to promote excellence and contribute towards a more peaceful world. The Cabinet Secretariat expressed pride in acknowledging ICC's efforts.
"The Award recognizes IIC’s crucial role in promoting chemical safety, advancing compliance with the Convention, and enhancing industry-wide security practices in India," said a statement from Cabinet Secretariat.
Through the CWC helpdesks initiatives, such as efficient e-filing of chemical declarations, ICC has witnessed notable gains. Moreover, its 'Nicer Globe' initiative provides substantial impacts on chemical transportation safety in India by providing real-time monitoring and emergency response capabilities.
The ICC also conducts activities under "Responsible Care" (RC) and Security Code of RC to promote chemical safety and security.
Their persistent focus on securing industry practices aligns closely with objectives of responsible industrial stewardship. The Cabinet Secretariat stated, "Their efforts, focusing on enhancing industry security and advancing national implementation of the Convention represents one of the world’s largest chemical sectors demonstrates an outstanding commitment to responsible industrial stewardship."
(Reporting by IANS)