(48a) Future Impact of Regulation on Small and Medium Chemical Companies

Regulation and Regulatory Bodies are continuing to grow, develop and expand.  Homeland Security has extended its authority over companies using chemicals of interest, the EPA has issued directives to permit Maintenance Start-up and Shutdown actives, the Code of Federal Regulation is constantly under review, and OSHA is expanding it National Emphasis Programs beyond the Refineries to Chemical Companies.  These are just a handful of examples of this expansion. 

This constantly changing landscape is complicated by lean or “too lean” practices, the lack of proactive communication of changes by the Regulatory Bodies, and the impending retirement of our most experienced human capital. 

Within a small to medium sized chemical company the situation can be a daunting challenge.  We are asked to do more with less, and fewer specialists are kept on staff. The need for retention and knowledge management programs, and more dependency on outside consultants will become increasingly crucial in managing regulatory compliance in the coming years.