NACD and Associquim Sign Memorandum of Understanding

MARCO ISLAND, Fla., Nov. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Brazilian Association of Chemical Distributors (Associquim) pledging to accept each other's Responsible Distribution third party verification requirement if a member in good standing with one Association wants to join the other Association.  Best practices, information sharing, and increased support are also included in the MOU.

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"We have so much in common with Associquim," said NACD Chairman Roger Harris, President of Producers Chemical Company, Sugar Grove, IL.   "Most importantly, our members share the commitment that continuous improvement in environment, health, safety, and security areas is imperative in an ever changing industry.  NACD and Associquim will continue to promote the value of third party verification to other countries."

The MOU is testament to the integrity of the Associations' member's third party verification of their critical operational areas demonstrating to customers, employees, government and regulatory authorities, and the public, that these mutual Responsible Distribution programs work and are taking hold across the Americas.

"Associquim, as a way to disseminate and strengthen the PRODIR – Responsible Distribution throughout the chemicals supply chain has agreed to sign an MOU with NACD today. This MOU formally recognizes the strengths, integrity and the harmonization of the Responsible Distribution process in both Countries.  PRODIR – Responsible Distribution is a mandatory condition of membership in the Associquim and the implementation of the program is subject to third party verification to ensure members continuously improve performance in the areas of environment, health, safety and security. In the future, our two Associations have agreed to share information and best practices upon a common set of Responsible Distribution Guiding Principles and Code of Management Practice in relation to the responsible handling, stewardship a distribution of chemicals."

About NACD

NACD and its over 400 member companies are vital to the chemical supply chain providing products to over 750,000 end users. They make a delivery every eight seconds while maintaining a safety record that is more than twice as good as all manufacturing combined. NACD members are leaders in health, safety, security, and environmental performance through implementation of Responsible Distribution, established in 1991 as a condition of membership and a third-party verified management practice. For additional information on its members, their safety record or NACD, visit NACD at www.nacd.com.

About Associquim

The Brazilian Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association Distributors, established in 1960, is an effective member of the Steering Committee of the ICCTA – International Council of Chemical Trade Associations.  Our members' process, formulate, blend, re-package, warehouse, transport, and trade chemicals and petrochemicals products for industrial customers.  Associquim's mission is to support its members in the chemicals and petrochemicals industries, emphasizing respect to the environment, to the legislations and to the ethics.

Contact:  Lucinda Schofer
703/527-NACD(6223)

SOURCE National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD)