Hydro Agri signs contract on global chemical management system
(Jan. 31, 2003) Hydro Agri and the Montreal based company Atrion International have signed a five year contract on chemical management. This gives Atrion the role of Hydro Agri's watchdog on legislation, regulations and datasheets for production, transportation and storage of chemicals.
 AGREEMENT: From left, Ruud Luttihuizen, Atrion, Dag Rune Lien, Hydro Agri, and Tore K. Jenssen, Hydro Agri. (Photo: Trond Aasland) |
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The agreement means that Hydro Agri has now established a common global platform for chemical information, based on a solution provided by Atrion (formerly ClearCross).
As the world's leading supplier of fertilizer, Agri is concerned with quality in all areas, including the correct handling of all its products, both internally and externally. This also means complying with the laws and regulations that apply at any time. The agreement with Atrion will play an important role here.
A number of local and national systems currently used in Hydro Agri will gradually be replaced by the new system during 2003. Atrion offers a central support-centre, based on links to SAP technology and close co-operation with Agri IS.
"Rapid changes are taking place in this area. For example, no less than 80 new EU directives on food and feed have been launched since 2000. Changes are also being made to the regulations for safety datasheets and transport. We have signed this contract to make sure that we have a common platform and will be able to meet even higher requirements in the future. This is our proactive approach to changing rules," says Tore K. Jenssen, in charge of Hydro Agri's activities in Product Stewardship and Responsible Care in Hydro Agri.
"Unless we are able to keep up-to-date and present the necessary documentation, we may find transportations are stopped and we may face high costs. As a global company, we cannot allow ourselves to have second-class standards on these issues."
And he adds: "Naturally, the roll-out in Agri will take account of local business needs, in order to provide the best possible service to our customers."
A great number of external companies were considered before it was decided to establish a close collaboration with Atrion International. The selection process also included visits to other users, and the participation of Agri Purchasing and Hydro's legal department. "Many people have given input to this process", says Dag Rune Lien - being one of them.
"We have signed a contract which can be extended to a corporate agreement. Other business areas can decide to take advantage of the good terms we have negotiated," says Jenssen.
Atrion, which has 50 employees, produces documentation, such as safety data sheets, labels, workplace safety cards etc, in 30 languages. Their services are used by such companies as BP, Akzo Nobel, DSM, Volvo and Michelin. Atrion can facilitate better exchange of information with customers through documentation in the relevant languages.
"As a company with a leading position in a number of areas, Hydro Agri is a particularly valuable customer. The contract gives Hydro Agri the option of working with other customers and to take part in our annual customers' meetings. It's a fact that when new laws and regulations are passed, much depends on how well they are understood by the companies affected," says Ruud Luttihuizen, Nordic Region Manager of Atrion.
Within this framework, Atrion's customers can share knowledge and systems.
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