Conference calls for ban on harmful chemicals

“The use of unapproved chemicals and dyes has been reported to be the main cause of skin cancer,” a textile manufacturer cautioned. PHOTO: NNI

KARACHI: 

An international conference on resource efficiency here on Thursday called for strict application of regulations and introducing a new legislation to stop the use of restricted and unapproved chemicals and dyes in the textile industry.

Additionally, it has been observed that many textile units in different processes make unnecessary consumption and waste a lot of chemicals and dyes, which creates serious environmental and health problems besides adding to the cost of production.

Many textile manufacturers use substandard and banned chemicals and dyes to produce and sell finished products at cheaper prices in the local market. “The use of unapproved chemicals and dyes has been reported to be the main cause of skin cancer,” a textile manufacturer cautioned.

International and European Union conventions signed by Pakistan strictly restrict the use of unapproved chemicals and dyes, wastage of these and disposal of textile raw material without proper treatment.

In the conference, textile experts from Germany, Austria and Bangladesh emphasised that resource efficiency was a key to reducing cost in manufacturing industries and crucial for compliance with the demand of international buyers.

The event was organised by bfz gGmbH (Germany) in collaboration with Pakistani business associations including Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA). About 150 representatives of the industry as well as representatives of the academia and public sector participated in the deliberations.

The main session was on chemical management with keynote speakers Kazy Mohammad Iqbal Hossain from C&A, one of the biggest European retailers, and Dr Jurgen Hannak, an expert on resource efficiency and environmental management.

Hossain highlighted the increasing requirements and strict conditions of international buyers in respect of chemical management in the textile value chain.

Hannak explained how manufacturers could tackle these challenges and ensure safe consumption, storage, transport and disposal of chemicals.

“International requirements are complex and enforcement is getting stricter,” Hannak said while pointing to the challenges. “But with proper chemical management, industries can meet the demand of buyers and save money.” He also presented various solutions for the textile manufacturers.

In the second session, Dr Bilquis Yasmeen, senior consultant at VRI-USA Inc, gave an introduction to productivity enhancement through material efficiency.

The third session focused on Good Housekeeping where Principal Consultant from Quality International Consultants Arshad Ali introduced practical approaches in the industries and their benefits.

The team of bfz gGmbH presented the services offered by project ESPIRE to support the industry in a bid to improve resource efficiency and occupational health and safety.

The participants had the opportunity to present their demands and suggest changes to the support offered.