11/08/2003 - OECD countries have set out new guidelines for the safe design and operation of chemical plants and for response action in the event of accidents. 

The OECD Guiding Principles for Chemical Accident Prevention, Preparedness and Response will assist public authorities, industry and communities worldwide to:

• Prevent chemical accidents resulting from technological and natural causes, as well as possible terrorist acts;
• Plan for emergencies and communicate effectively if they occur; 
• Respond to accidents and minimise their adverse effects; and
• Follow up, including clean-up action and accident reporting.

The latest version of the Guiding Principles updates an earlier edition published in 1992. It includes sections on such topics as: the development of a health infrastructure to deal with chemical accidents; implementation of the principles by small and medium-sized enterprises; chemical safety at transport interfaces (e.g. port areas); the safety of pipelines; integrated management of health, environment, safety and quality control; guidance for audits and inspections; and application to sabotage and terrorism.
 
Requests for free copies should be sent to ehscont@oecd.org.  A web-based version of the Guiding Principles, with a search tool by topic and keyword is available on the Internet at: http://www1.oecd.org/scripts/ehs/guidingprinciples/index.asp 
 
The web site of the OECD Chemical Accidents Programme  provides detailed information on the Guiding Principles . 

For further information, please contact Marie-Chantal Huet  , Administrator of the OECD Chemical Accident Programme.