ESAD II

ESAD II - European Single Assessment for Chemical Distributors Revision II

The ESAD II programme helps to successfully implement and evaluate Responsible Care Principles in a chemical distribution company.

In 1999, Hedinger was the first European chemical distribution company to undergo the ESAD I assessment. In April 2008, Hedinger was audited against ESAD II in Stuttgart and Teutschenthal, by a third-party auditor from Swiss TS. All parts of ESAD II, except those dealing with chlorinated solvents, formed the basis of this assessment. We are proud to have achieved greater than 90% compliance with the requirements of ESAD II at both locations. Further, this confirms, that Hedinger honours the principles of Responsible Care at an extremely high level. This is evidence for our high standards in safety, environmental protection and health protection, while working with chemical products throughout all areas of Hedinger.

ESAD II is a standardized voluntary assessment system, which measures the HSE standards¹ of chemical distribution companies. However, ESAD II should also be used by distributors, to check their compliance with the requirements of the Responsible Care programme.

ESAD II has been developed by a joint group of experts (CEFIC and FECC and is used by independent auditors to inspect chemical distribution companies. It is intended that re-assessments are carried out every three years. The auditors have been trained in a joint course run by CEFIC (European Chemical Industry Council) and FECC (European Association of Chemical Distributors) and have passed a qualifying examination. ESAD II is part of the SQAS-Program²: objectivity, neutrality, transparency and free access to the system, for the users in the chemical industry.

ESAD II is structured as follows:

I.       Assessment Guidelines

Guidelines for interpreting and evaluating the following questionnaire.

II.      Questionnaire

The questionnaire for assessing the relevant processes and operations in a company is divided into three parts as follows:

1.       General Part (Distributor Standard Activities - Di)

223 questions on legal requirements, risk management, company policy and documentation, provision of information, training, emergency response, ongoing improvements and community interaction.

2.       Section S: Site inspection

213 questions asked during a site inspection are intended to provide an impression of the company's facilities and of the HSE and quality standards. This will identify how the processes and guidelines are actually implemented.

3.       Section Cs: Chlorinated solvents

70 specific questions for distributors of chlorinated solvents are intended to ensure safety while working with these solvents, which constitute a particular risk to humans and the environment.

4.       Sections F & G: Food, Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Products

114/101 specific questions for distributors of raw materials for the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry are intended to ensure the quality of these products along the entire distribution chain and that each process is traceable.

 

¹HSE: Health, Safety, Environment
²SQAS: Safety and Quality Assessment Systems