Indian Chemical Council Honored with 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award

In a significant achievement, the Indian Chemical Council (ICC) was awarded the prestigious 2024 OPCW-The Hague Award at the 29th Session of the Conference of the States Parties (CSP) of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) held in The Hague on November 25, 2024. This is the first time that the award has been conferred upon a chemical industry body, marking a milestone in India’s commitment to chemical safety and compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). 

Key Highlights

Award Ceremony

• Date: November 25, 2024
• Location: 29th Session of the Conference of the States Parties (CSP), The Hague
• Award Presented By: Ambassador Fernando Arias (OPCW Director-General) and Mayor Jan van Zanen (Municipality of The Hague)
• Recipient: Mr. D. Sothi Selvam, Director General of ICC

Significance of the Award

• The OPCW-The Hague Award is presented to individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
• First time awarded to a chemical industry body: ICC is the first industry body to receive this recognition, underscoring its vital role in the global chemical safety community.

India’s Role in the CWC

• India is an original signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which came into force in 1997 and has 193 States Parties.
• The National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC) is responsible for implementing the CWC in India.
• India’s commitment to the CWC was highlighted when OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.

ICC’s Contribution to Chemical Safety

• ICC represents over 80% of the Indian chemical industry, valued at $220 billion.

Promoting Chemical Safety

• ICC’s initiatives, like the Chemical Weapons Convention Helpdesks, have greatly enhanced compliance with the CWC among Indian industries.
• The ‘Nicer Globe’ initiative provides real-time monitoring and emergency response capabilities for chemical transportation safety.

Security and Responsible Stewardship

• ICC introduced the Security Code of Responsible Care (RC), which focuses on safety and security in the chemical industry.
• The Responsible Care programme promotes the safe handling of chemicals and encourages industry-wide security practices.
• The ICC has played an instrumental role in enhancing industry security and advancing the national implementation of the CWC in one of the world’s largest chemical sectors.