58
4 Placing Integrated Development into the Business Perspective
The next section introduces these two approaches as well as the guiding principles
of integrated development and management systems that can be used to help
implement it.
4.3
Integrated Development as Part of the Business Strategy
4.3.1 Reactive and Proactive Approaches
Just as introduced in Chap. 3 for legislative processes, two types of approaches can
be taken within the chemical industry to ensure safety and the protection of human
health and the environment. A reactive approach is characterized by symptom
control. Following an accident or discovery of damages from a product, for example,
a company (or legislator) can create new standards in response to prevent this from
happening again in the future. This approach only addresses problems after they
have occurred. Aside from the health and environmental damage caused, this can
also result in multiple (and expensive) fines and lawsuits. Furthermore, it is clear
that society will have little confidence in the responsibility of the chemical industry
under this approach.
In contrast, the approach of the chemical industry could instead be one that is
proactive. In this case, clear and ambitious goals are set for ongoing improvement,
and the industry takes responsibility for implementing changes to achieve them.
This creates an internal incentive for safer, higher-quality products and processes.
While working toward set goals, the industry can also communicate their efforts
to the broader public, and legislators can use the industry’s expertise to develop
protection-oriented legislation.
Being proactive in the development and use of safe chemical processes and
products should be seen as advantageous rather than as a limitation. A proactive
approach avoids problems before they occur and builds trust within society.
Compared to just a few decades ago, the general public is much more aware and
critical of the presence of chemicals in products they buy. A proactive mindset helps
the chemical industry to be (and be seen as) part of the solution rather than as a
source of the problem.
4.3.2 Guiding Principles of Integrated Development
The concept of integrated development is based on the three guiding principles of
eco-efficiency, inherent safety, and social acceptability. These help to (1) optimize
the efficiency of resource use and limit emissions, (2) consider proactive measures
and minimize hazards, and (3) maximize the potential for acceptance by relevant
stakeholders. Implementation of each guiding principle is supported by one of
the three methods introduced in the next part of this book (life cycle assessment,
risk assessment, and risk-benefit dialogue). Figure 4.1 illustrates how the guiding
principles and methods jointly regulate the iterative development needed to create
4 Placing Integrated Development into the Business Perspective
The next section introduces these two approaches as well as the guiding principles
of integrated development and management systems that can be used to help
implement it.
4.3
Integrated Development as Part of the Business Strategy
4.3.1 Reactive and Proactive Approaches
Just as introduced in Chap. 3 for legislative processes, two types of approaches can
be taken within the chemical industry to ensure safety and the protection of human
health and the environment. A reactive approach is characterized by symptom
control. Following an accident or discovery of damages from a product, for example,
a company (or legislator) can create new standards in response to prevent this from
happening again in the future. This approach only addresses problems after they
have occurred. Aside from the health and environmental damage caused, this can
also result in multiple (and expensive) fines and lawsuits. Furthermore, it is clear
that society will have little confidence in the responsibility of the chemical industry
under this approach.
In contrast, the approach of the chemical industry could instead be one that is
proactive. In this case, clear and ambitious goals are set for ongoing improvement,
and the industry takes responsibility for implementing changes to achieve them.
This creates an internal incentive for safer, higher-quality products and processes.
While working toward set goals, the industry can also communicate their efforts
to the broader public, and legislators can use the industry’s expertise to develop
protection-oriented legislation.
Being proactive in the development and use of safe chemical processes and
products should be seen as advantageous rather than as a limitation. A proactive
approach avoids problems before they occur and builds trust within society.
Compared to just a few decades ago, the general public is much more aware and
critical of the presence of chemicals in products they buy. A proactive mindset helps
the chemical industry to be (and be seen as) part of the solution rather than as a
source of the problem.
4.3.2 Guiding Principles of Integrated Development
The concept of integrated development is based on the three guiding principles of
eco-efficiency, inherent safety, and social acceptability. These help to (1) optimize
the efficiency of resource use and limit emissions, (2) consider proactive measures
and minimize hazards, and (3) maximize the potential for acceptance by relevant
stakeholders. Implementation of each guiding principle is supported by one of
the three methods introduced in the next part of this book (life cycle assessment,
risk assessment, and risk-benefit dialogue). Figure 4.1 illustrates how the guiding
principles and methods jointly regulate the iterative development needed to create