Clariant increases awareness for necessary global regulatory affairs compliance with Indian supply partners

Clariant is committed to ethical and sustainable operations in all business activities. A two day seminar, hosted by Clariant, was attended by around 90 partners and potential suppliers to increase the awareness of their responsibilities. “The key focus was on compliance with the principles of responsible care, sustainability and global chemical regulatory initiatives. REACH, the European chemical legislation requirement, currently attracts most attention, but other regions have also been busy establishing or strengthening their own programs for the regulation of chemicals,” explained Mr. Ekrem Baka, Head – Procurement Services India, Clariant Chemicals (India) Limited. With respect to Clariant’s strive for customers’ excellence, the seminar highlighted regulatory affairs aspects in procurement, emphasising the necessity for global compliance and, specifically, the implications and benefits it will bring to both suppliers and customers. Clariant’s commitment to sustainability is at the heart of its business ethics, which crosses all borders and defines how new and innovative products as well as existing ones are brought to market, explained Mr. Puthige Murali, Head of ESHA, Clariant Chemicals (India) Limited. Compliance is a pre-requisite to do business. At the seminar, much emphasis was placed on the benefits of in-depth knowledge of products in respect of REACH, other regulatory programs, and the collection and recording of required data. Suppliers, who can meet the increased need for compliance, will benefit from robust relationships and improved ranking versus their competitors. During her presentation, Dr. Erika Kunz, Corporate Product Stewardship, Head of Corporate Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals, Clariant Prod. GmbH, Germany said, “Clariant has been aware of and involved, directly or through its industry associations, in the development of REACH for almost 10 years. From the very beginning of the development of this regulation, we have embarked on a steep, but necessary learning curve. This has put us in a good position in meeting and understanding REACH, as we do in other tough regulatory systems around the globe to which we have to comply.” Dr. Robert Janssen, Group Procurement Services, Head of REACH Procurement, Clariant International AG, Switzerland added: “Our goal is to share our knowledge and act in partnerships with suppliers here in India; this will allow us all to minimize our exposure to risk and maximize our potential for growth and profitability in this exciting market. We are delighted with the attendance at this seminar and the enthusiasm with which it was received.” Dr. Dileep Wakankar, Head – Product Stewardship and Product Process Safety Lab, Clariant Chemicals (India) Limited, also explained about the Clariant Product and Process Safety Laboratory infrastructure and capabilities at Kolshet, near Mumbai, detailed about the ways in which Clariant can help suppliers meet their obligations under REACH Clariant is an internationally active specialty chemical company, based in Muttenz near Basel.