What we do
Under this pillar, BPCI members can engage in discussions centred on related environmental, safety & regulatory issues affecting the industry (eg PFAS, Urban Waste Water and REACH). Activities include knowledge sharing, audit findings, benchmarking, peer to peer learning and the facilitation of networking opportunities through industry initiatives, workshops, forums and webinars. There is strong engagement and biannual meetings with the Health and Safety Authority (HAS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
How to get involved / Our working groups
The EHS working group is a forum for members to come together and share best practice and provides the opportunity to collectively engage with competent authorities. The objective of the group is to ensure that the standards of the sector's overall EHS activities are best in class and go beyond compliance. The group meets virtually every month with two meetings per year held in person.
Key areas of interest (but not limited to):
- PFAS
- Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive
- Licensing Challenges
- Exchange of Best Practice
Sub-groups:
- Sludge Management
- Contractor Management
- F-Gases
Members that should get involved:
- EHS Managers, H&S Specialists, Environmental Specialists
Lead by BioPharmaChem Ireland Senior Executive, michael.kilkelly@ibec.ie
The Process Safety working group works to ensure that standards of Process Safety in the Irish Biopharma Sector are best practice and go beyond compliance. Members collaborate to share best in practice around process safety and exchange case studies. The group meets virtually monthly with two meetings per year held in person. The Health and Safety Authority meet with this group twice a year to outline their programme of work for the year ahead and clarify issues. Additionally, there is an HSA Key Stakeholder Group led by the HSA which is a mechanism for discussing legislative changes coming through ECHA.
Key areas of interest:
- ERT on Seveso and non-Seveso sites
- Risk criteria used for LOPA assessments
- Managing ageing plants
- PHA methodology
- ‘Significant Modifications’ under COMAH regulations
- Process safety Training
- Critical Plant evaluations
- Inspections
Lead by BioPharmaChem Ireland Senior Executive, michael.kilkelly@ibec.ie.
The Biosafety working group was established to look at safety issues that are particularly relevant to the biologics sector and share best practice in the field. Working group members meet bi-monthly with a mix of both online and in person meetings.
Key areas of interest:
- GMM regulations
- Renewal of Vet 15 licences
- Biological agents
- Working of biosafety committees
Members that should get involved:
- EHS Managers
- Bioprocess Safety Specialists
Lead by BioPharmaChem Ireland Senior Executive, michael.kilkelly@ibec.ie.
Strategy launched this year identified 4 pillars which led to the development of 4 task groups:
- Energy and Infrastructure
- Scope 3 Emissions
- Culture and Communication
- Data and Standards
Key areas of interest:
- Renewable energy
- Biodiversity
- Scope 3 emissions reductions
- Green chemistry
- Circular economy
- CSRD Reporting
- Sustainable site case studies
- Sharing best practice on standards
Sub-group:
- Responsible Care
Members that should get involved:
- Senior Staff involved in site/global sustainability strategy for the steering group
- SME Experts on Energy, Standards, Scope 3, site or corporate sustainability projects
- Supply chain and procurement staff for scope 3 especially
Lead by BioPharmaChem Ireland Senior Executive, michael.kilkelly@ibec.ie.
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