NACD Focuses on Regulations at Operations Seminar (OPSEM)

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Members of the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) are meeting in Austin, TX this week for the Association's 22nd Annual Operations Seminar and Trade Show (OPSEM).

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OPSEM, the premier trade show for the chemical distribution industry, attracted over 300 attendees.  The program was developed with a focus on current and future regulations/legislation and the impact new regulatory initiatives will have on the industry.  Jennifer Gibson, Vice President, Government Affairs, NACD said, "The philosophy of the Obama Administration is clearly focused on the development of new regulations and more aggressive enforcement of existing regulations.  With that in mind, the OPSEM Planning Committee should be commended for developing a robust program that helped our industry better understand how these regulations will impact their business and prepares them to adhere to these new standards, successfully."

Some session highlights of OPSEM:

• CFATS - In the Department of Homeland Security session, Dennis Deziel, Acting Director of the DHS Infrastructure Security Compliance Division will provide the latest news on CFATS implementation and next steps for the program.
• CSA 2010 - Len Satkowski, J.J. Keller & Associates and Michael Lamm, Assistant Division Administrator, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, is leading a session on CSA 2010, and will educate participants on how this new system of motor carrier oversight will impact them.
• OSHA - Len Satkowski also will lead the OSHA session, where he will review the processes that need to be in place in order to maintain the safest work environment.
• DOT – JP Gibbons, President, North American Transportation Consultants, will bring participants up to date on how agencies within DOT interact with chemical companies and what to expect from them in the future.
• TSCA – Kathleen Roberts, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. and Tom Grumbles, Sr. Consultant, Entrix will provide a detailed overview of the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), including numerous recent regulatory and legislative developments. Challenges and potential opportunities for the industry will be discussed.

Another highlight of OPSEM will include the presentation of the Responsible Distribution Excellence Award to Brenntag, North America, Inc.  The award is given each year to the NACD member that epitomizes the attributes of Responsible Distribution, such as quality, safety, the environment and commitment to excellence.

For more information on OPSEM or NACD's regulatory or legislative positions, please visit our website at www.nacd.com.

NACD and its 380 member companies are vital to the chemical supply chain providing products to over 750,000 end users.  They make a delivery every six seconds while maintaining a safety record that is more than twice as good as the safety standards set by DOT.  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 is a third-party verified management practice. For additional information on our members, their safety record or NACD, visit NACD's website -- www.nacd.com.

SOURCE National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD)