The 1st Technical Workshop on “Legislation and Regulations” within the scope of the Project “Enhancing Environmental Performance in Expanded and Extruded Polystyrene Foam Industries in Turkey” (HBCD Project) was held on January 17, 2024 at Renaissance Istanbul Polat Bosphorus Hotel. 106 people from relevant institutions and organizations and the industry attended the workshop.

The workshop started with the opening speeches of our General Directorate, Chemicals Management Department Head Nihat Yaman, EPS Industry Association (EPSDER) Chairman Erdem Ateş and Thermal, Water, Sound and Fire Insulators Association (İZODER) Chairman Emrullah Eruslu.

Nihat Yaman, Head of Chemicals Management Department, stated in his speech that it is necessary to preserve the human and economic benefits of chemicals while minimizing their side effects. Stating that it is possible to reduce the pressure of chemicals on human health and nature through global cooperation, Yaman said that Turkey has fulfilled its responsibilities in this field through global agreements and that it is financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). He emphasized that the HBCD Project implemented by ) and carried out by Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change is important at this point.

EPSDER Chairman of the Board of Directors Erdem Ateş touched upon the importance of the project, which ensures that the private sector in Turkey receives the necessary support in order to fulfill its obligations within the framework of the Stockholm Convention, to which Turkey is a party. He emphasized that all segments of society have a responsibility to minimize the effects of climate change in our country and in the world.

İZODER Chairman of the Board of Directors, Emrullah Eruslu, touched upon the importance of the joint work of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change and İZODER regarding the insulation sector in the development of the sector. Eruslu stated that they attach importance to the HBCD Project, which has the potential to serve as a bridge between the sector and the public.

Expert speakers in their fields informed the participants at the workshop, which was held with the participation of relevant representatives from public institutions and organizations and the private sector.

In the first session of the workshop, which consisted of four sessions, “Provisions and Obligations within the Scope of the Stockholm Convention”, “Chemicals within the Scope of the Stockholm Convention” and “Gender”; In its second session, “Project for Enhancing Environmental Performance in Expanded and Extruded Polystyrene Foam Industries in Turkey” and “Phasing Out and Management of HBCD Project” in China and “Use of Boronated Compounds as a Flame Retardant Alternative”; In the third session, presentations were made on “Market Inspection and Surveillance on Construction Materials” and “Chemicals within the Scope of Product Safety and Control Communiqués”. In the last session, presentations were made and information was provided on “Waste Management Regulation” and “Carbon Footprint and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism”.