ACC and SOCMA Announce Agenda for 2012 Global Chemical Regulations Conference

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This year's Global Chemical Regulations Conference and Expo returns to Baltimore, MD, and will take place March 5-7, 2012.  The event is an ideal venue to bring chemical industry professionals up to speed on the latest chemical management regulations, both domestic and foreign. Attendees are invited to take advantage of this once-a-year opportunity to interact with experts in policy areas like the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the European Union's Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). Participants will also hear the latest updates on risk assessment, prioritization of existing chemicals, confidential business information claims, key developments in international markets and more.

"There are many important chemical policy challenges facing our industry, especially our sector of specialty, batch and custom chemical manufacturing," said Lawrence D. Sloan, SOCMA President and CEO, who is opening the conference on March 6, 2012. "From domestic policies like EPA's new chemical data reporting (CDR) rule and protection of U.S. intellectual property to international ones like REACH and the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), our members and anyone with an interest in chemical policy will benefit from attending this conference. Nowhere can you find an industry event that offers the quality and variety of information relevant to chemical management as this year's GlobalChem."

"Resolving trade barriers and creating a level playing field for chemical manufacturers at home and abroad is a critical first step toward creating a regulatory system that boosts U.S. exports," said ACC President and CEO Cal Dooley. "As an industry, we need to work together through events like GlobalChem to ensure that regulatory systems here in the U.S. and overseas complement rather than contradict each other, so that the global business of chemistry can continue to innovate, create jobs and meet the world's most pressing challenges."

Conference highlights include a TSCA Fundamentals and International Workshop, a Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) special session and general sessions on EPA's enhanced chemicals management program and REACH 2013 registration preparations. The conference will also feature a session on confidential business information (CBI) claims and EPA's voluntary CBI Declassification Program. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in multiple breakout sessions, including a session on state chemical management requirements and a session covering the latest changes to Asia-Pacific chemical management systems.

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) and the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) also announced that the following organizations have all confirmed their sponsorship of this year's Conference and Expo: Beverage & Diamond, PC; Keller and Heckman, LLP; Sidley Austin, LLP; Steptoe & Johnson, LLP; and Chemical Watch. The Technology Sciences Group is also sponsoring a GlobalChem workshop.

To learn more about the conference agenda and to register, visit www.globalchem.org.

http://www.americanchemistry.com

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care®, common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a $720 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is one of the nation's largest exporters, accounting for ten cents out of every dollar in U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure.

About SOCMA
SOCMA is the only U.S.-based trade association dedicated solely to the batch, custom and specialty chemical industry. Since 1921, we have represented a diverse membership of small, medium and large chemical companies, making us the leading authority on this sector. SOCMA has a global membership of more than 200 companies. For more information on our services and products, please visit www.socma.com. ChemStewards® is SOCMA's flagship environmental, health, safety and security (EHS&S) continuous performance improvement program. ChemStewards was created from industry's commitment to reducing our environmental footprint. Industry created ChemStewards to meet the unique needs of the batch, custom and specialty chemical industry. As a mandatory requirement for SOCMA members engaged in the manufacturing or handling of chemicals, ChemStewards is helping participants reach for superior EHS&S performance. To learn more visit www.chemstewards.com.

SOURCE American Chemistry Council