Transportation by sea requires compliance with similar legislation, as well,
and is overseen by the International Maritime Organization. To be certain that
their national regulatory schemes accord with international law, individual
nations around the globe have built the transportation regulations for their
dangerous goods to meet the requirements of the UN’s Model Regulations.
No matter what mode you use to transport your goods, your company must
ensure that the drivers of road vehicles and stewards (for those goods moving
by rail, air, or sea) have instructions in writing that detail the exact type, quan-
tity, and nature of those goods. Those companies that move goods by road in
Europe, for example, must comply with ADR legislation. It demands that all
drivers be in possession of a tremcard, composed in a language that he can
read and understand. These instructions must also include a version in the
language of the country of origin, of the recipient country, and of all countries
through which the dangerous goods are being transported.
Keeping Up with Materials Legislation......................................................
The myriad laws, regulations, and directives that have been enacted since the
mid-twentieth century to protect both humanity and the environment are
the number one reason why today’s companies need a substantial GRC solu-
tion for all matters related to environmental, health, and safety compliance.
Among the ones that stand to most influence businesses and society alike
are Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) and
Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). The following sections detail
those regulations that your company must comply with if you want to stay
in business.
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) .............................................
Congress created this Act in 1976 so that the EPA could track the 75,000
industrial chemicals currently produced or imported into the United States.
Whereas the EPA can screen these chemicals, require reporting or testing of
those that may pose a danger to environmental or human health, and ban the
manufacture and import of those chemicals that pose an unreasonable risk,
it nonetheless grandfathered most existing chemicals. This is significant, and
stands in direct contrast to the European Union’s newly enacted Registration,
Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH), which we cover in the
next section. The primary subjects of TSCA regulation are polychlorinated
biphenyl (PCB) products, including PCB disposal and limits for PCB contami-
nation of the environment. The TSCA is found in United States law at 15 USC
(C. 53) 2601-2692.
Chapter 12: Making Your Products Environmentally Friendly 229
