EMCOR stands for the European MARCO (Materials And Reagents for Chemical Industry) Standard. EMCOR was originally developed as a pan-European standard to reduce the paperwork and red tape involved in moving chemicals between member states. Since its inception in 1966, the standardization body has been enhancing and adapting the specifications to keep pace with chemical advances and industry demands. Today, EMCOR continues to be the go-to standard for trading chemicals and pharmaceuticals within the European market, and around the world as a leading container and materials handling solution.
The standard itself is comprehensive, covering shipping, storage, reagent handling, inventory, and record keeping. EMCOR harmonization means everything from the safety requirements (such as fire and explosion risks and risks of human error) to the technical specifications for transport and handling, is covered by the standard. For example, the standard sets out the requirements for a leak-proof container, as well as the maximum and minimum number of freeze plugs that must be in place to prevent the containers from becoming damaged during shipping and handling. A harmonized EMCOR standard makes it much easier to trade with confidence between member states, and helps to lower costs and increase efficiency for business.
What Are the Main Applications of EMCOR?
One of the more obvious applications of EMCOR is in the field of chemical shipping and storage. EMCOR compliance ensures that all the requirements of the standard are met, which in turn helps to ensure that your materials are safely transported and handled throughout the whole supply chain. EMCOR is the primary standard for these activities in Europe, and many companies choose to adopt it completely as the benchmark for their industry.
The standard also finds applications in the pharmaceutical and the materials synthesis industries. If you’re shipping chemicals, pharmaceuticals, or raw materials for manufacturing, then EMCOR is going to come in very handy. Not only does it cover all the essentials of materials handling and safety, but it also offers guidance on how to operate your facility efficiently and cost-effectively. EMCOR-compliant equipment and software can help you keep track of your inventory and stay organized. With today’s advancing technology, there’s also a good chance that you’ll be able to find a way to make use of barcodes, RFID tags, and other advanced tracking methods.
When And Where Was It First Published?
EMCOR was first published in 1966, and is currently available in 42 languages and in both electronic and paper formats. The standard is currently maintained by CEN, the European Committee for Standardization, and the body has been actively encouraging and helping industry to implement the standard into practice since its inception. It’s a true milestone that this standard has endured the test of time, and has enabled business and chemical trading to flourish throughout Europe and beyond.
In the United Kingdom, for example, the EMCOR standard was first implemented in 1975, and enabled the safe and secure import, storage, and handling of chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Since then, the government has worked with industry to ensure that all relevant equipment and software is EMCOR-compliant, and that training is provided to all staff who might come into contact with chemicals or pharmaceuticals. The benefits of this standardization are readily apparent, with significant improvements in the safety and effectiveness of chemical distribution throughout the whole supply chain, and cost savings for business.
Allowing businesses to operate efficiently and safely is the main aim of any standard, and EMCOR certainly meets these requirements. The standard addresses all the issues that might arise, and leaves nothing up to individual interpretation. This certainly appeals to businesses that want to operate within the bounds of the law, and want to ensure that their employees and the products that they handle are both safe and secure. Individuals handling dangerous substances will also feel more confident and comfortable operating within a well-established framework, and know precisely what obligations and liabilities fall upon them. In the UK, for example, the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres (Safety) Regulations 2001 mandate that users of chemicals and pharmaceuticals follow the relevant procedures and regulations set out by the Food Standards Agency.
How Can I Be Sure That My Materials Will Appear To Meet The Standard?
One of the main attractions of EMCOR is that it’s very easy to ensure that your materials meet the standard. By downloading the free trial version of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the substances that you’re shipping, you can check for yourself that all the information listed there matches the documentation that you have submitted with your chemical imports and exports. The trial version of MSDS is easily accessible from the EMCOR website, and can be loaded directly into the search bar to find all the materials that you’re looking for. The full version of the standard is a very long and comprehensive list, and can be both time-consuming and laborious to trawl through thoroughly to ensure that your documentation is up-to-date and that everything is checked off before you can give it the green light.
What Does EMCOR Mean For Global Trade?
With the heightened security concerns that we’re facing today, it’s more important than ever to ensure that your overseas shipping and storage is both safe and secure. Even more alarming are the frequent terrorist attacks and natural disasters that we’re experiencing, and the effect that these have had on international trade. In light of this, EMCOR is ideally placed for businesses that are operating on a global scale. With 41% of the world’s population living outside of Europe, there will always be a demand for safe and secure trade. EMCOR-compliant containers and the accompanying software will make your imports and exports much easier to handle and much less subject to arbitrary restrictions. You won’t need to worry about paperwork, fees, or red tape to get things moving.
With all the advantages that EMCOR brings to the table, it’s clear to see why this is such a popular standard. Not only does it cover all the essentials for chemical and pharmaceutical import and export, but it also offers guidance on how to operate your facility efficiently and cost-effectively. Harmonizing this standard will also ensure that all the materials that you handle and ship are listed in an easily searchable format, so that you can stay organized and ensure that all the details are correct.