DHAKA: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Huntsman, a global manufacturer of industrial chemicals, and PSES, “Promotion of Social and Environmental Standards in the Industry”, a joint project of the governments of Bangladesh and Germany, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) on June 10.
Huntsman and GIZ will cooperate to improve the management of chemicals in 10 textile mills in Bangladesh. The initiative forms part of Huntsman’s role in the ZDHC, the Zero Discharge of Hazardour Chemicals programme of 17 leading apparel and foot ware manufacturers, to help the industry to eliminate hazardous chemicals from their products by 2020. By joining hands, both GIZ and Huntsman will be able to support the development of industry-wide best practices in Chemical Management and on-the-ground implementation to contribute to a cleaner environment and increased environmental accountability. It is planned to roll out the initiative to other countries in the region.
GIZ has been successfully conducting trainings in Bangladesh by using its Chemical Management (CM) tool which includes practical measures for proper handling and storage of chemicals, improving workplace safety, achieving cost savings and complying with environmental laws. Huntsman will work hand-in-hand with GIZ and bring in expertise on the optimization of washing and dyeing processes.
Mr. Peter Gregory, Brand & Retail Marketing Director of Huntsman Textile Effects, explains: “Huntsman has been doing business in Bangladesh successfully for the last 42 years. We plan to upscale our sustainability services and offer more environmentally friendly products for Bangladeshi suppliers of textiles. By joining hands with GIZ we will be able to engage with factories and bring the best out of their production efficiency and environmental compliance. Our international staff will also receive training from GIZ on their chemical management toolkit, and we plan to replicate this process in other factories and other countries as well”.
As Mr. Magnus Schmid, Program Coordinator of PSES, puts it in his opening speech: “Textile factories in Bangladesh should take environmental issues more seriously. Our Chemical Management program has trained 60 consultants from at least 20 service providing organizations so far, and we look forward to create a greater impact by partnering with Huntsman. Through our training and this partnership we shall contribute to achieve the goal of eliminating the use of hazardous substances from the production process.
GIZ An innovative partner for the global challenges of tomorrow --The wide range of services offered by the Deutsche
GesellschaftfürInternationaleZusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH are based on a wealth of regional and technicalexpertise and on tried and tested management know-how. We are a German federal enterprise and offer workable, sustainable and effective solutions in political, economic and social change processes.
Most of our work is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). However, GIZ also operates on behalf of other German ministries and public and private bodies in Germany and abroad. These include governments of other countries, the European Commission, the United Nations and the World Bank. We are equally committed to helping our clients in the private sector attain their goals.
GIZ operates throughout Germany and in more than 130 countries worldwide. Our registered offices are in Bonn and Eschborn. We have more than 17,000 staff members around the globe, some 70% of whom billion as at 31 December 2011.
BDST: 1444 HRS, JUNE 11, 2014
