Error: Unknown snippet
VinylPlus builds on the achievements and results of Vinyl 2010, the 1st Voluntary Commitment of the European PVC industry, and on the principles of Responsible Care® adopted by the European chemical industry in the late 1980s.
Vinyl 2010 was a 10-year programme to move the PVC industry towards sustainability by minimising the environmental impact of production, promoting responsible use of additives, supporting collection and recycling schemes, and encouraging social dialogue amongst all of the industry's stakeholders. Over this 10-year period, reporting annually and overseen by an independent Monitoring Committee, Vinyl 2010 succeeded in meeting its performance targets.
Here are some milestones in the work and achievements of the European PVC industry:
PVC resin producers (ECVM members) sign the first European PVC Industry Charter setting challenging voluntary emission limits for the production of vinyl chloride monomer – a precursor to PVC – and for the production of suspension PVC.
European Commission decides to undertake a ‘horizontal initiative' to develop a policy to be applied to all PVC waste streams. The Commission launched five independent studies leading to the publication of a Green Paper on PVC in July 2000.
7 March – The actors in the European PVC value chain unite in their effort to deliver a responsible product and to improve waste management over the following 10 years, signing the Voluntary Commitment of the European PVC industry. Vinyl 2010 is launched.
17 October – ECVM, ECPI, ESPA and the European Mine Chemical and Energy Workers Federation (EMCEF) sign a Social Charter establishing a Forum for Social Dialogue within the PVC Industry.
Following a wide range of comments, Vinyl 2010 agrees on a revised and expanded Voluntary Commitment and publishes the first of its annual progress reports.
Bisphenol A is phased out of PVC resin production in all ECVM member companies.
Cadmium stabilisers are phased out in the EU-15.
The Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development underscores the important role to be played by industry in the global effort towards a more equitable and sustainable society.
Vinyl 2010 acquires the legal status of an international non-profit association.
External verification (by Det Norske Veritas) of the ECVM S-PVC Production Charter.
A Monitoring Committee comprising representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament, trade unions, consumer associations (since 2005) and from the European PVC industry is established.
Recovinyl is created.
Recycling of 25% of available post-consumer PVC waste for pipes, windows and waterproofing membranes is achieved.
Vinyl 2010 is registered as Partnership with the Secretariat of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development.
Recycling of available post-consumer PVC from non-regulated waste streams reaches 18,077 tonnes.
Operational start-up of Recovinyl, the organisation set up within the framework of the Vinyl 2010 programme with the aim of supporting and developing PVC collection and recycling schemes.
15% reduction in lead stabiliser use is achieved ahead of time.
Risk Assessment on lead stabilisers is published.
External verification (by Det Norske Veritas) of the ECVM E-PVC Production Charter.
Recycling of available post-consumer PVC from non-regulated waste streams reaches 38,793 tonnes
Following the mid-term review of targets, publication of the revised Voluntary Commitment.
Cadmium stabilisers phase-out is extended to and completed in the EU-25.
Lead stabiliser phase-out by 2015 extended to the EU-25.
Recycling of available post-consumer PVC from non-regulated waste streams reaches 82,812 tonnes.
Publication of Environmental Declarations (EPD) for S-PVC and E-PVC.
Cadmium stabilisers phase-out is extended to and completed in the EU-27.
Lead stabiliser phase-out by 2015 extended to the EU-27.
Recycling of available post-consumer PVC from non-regulated waste streams reaches 149,463 tonnes.
Reduction in lead stabiliser use by 50% achieved two years ahead of schedule in the EU-15.
EU Risk Assessments for all major phthalates are published.
Recycling of available post-consumer PVC from non-regulated waste streams reaches 194,950 tonnes.
50% reduction in lead stabiliser use achieved in the EU-27.
Recycling of available post-consumer PVC from non-regulated waste streams keeps steady at 190,324 tonnes.
Decision to move forward with a new voluntary programme and work with The Natural Step.
Recycling of available post-consumer PVC from non-regulated waste streams reaches 260,842 tonnes, exceeding the 10-year target.
22 June – VinylPlus, the new 10-year Voluntary Commitment of the European PVC industry is launched.