Prodir

Português / English

Project Summary

The Responsible Distribution Process - PRODIR comprises Guiding Principles, Codes, Practices, Additional Policies, and includes annual internal audits and performance indicators to improve the accomplishment of issues related to health, safety, and protection of people and the environment.

It requires a systematic approach in regards to quality, health, safety, protection of people and the environment issues, which will increase productivity, improve quality of life for the workers and for society in general and consequently will reduce social costs for the government.

PRODIR's main principle, in addition to operational aspects, includes the policy, management, and commitment of the company's top management to the continuous improvement of all sectors involved in chemicals distribution.

Why was the program created?

The program was created in Canada by the CACD - Canadian Association of Chemicals Distributors in 1987, adopted in the United States in 1991 by the NACD - National Association of Chemicals Distributors, PRODIR - Responsible Distribution Process was adapted to fit the Brazilian reality. It was implemented in Brazil by ASSOCIQUIM - Associação Brasileira dos Distribuidores de Produtos Químicos e Petroquímicos in 2002.

It is a process to be used by the chemicals and petrochemicals distribution sector, to qualify the companies, clearly motivating responsibility towards improving all aspects of performance related to their activities.

Through PRODIR, companies that distribute chemicals and petrochemicals commit to guide their actions in handling, usage, storage, transport and disposal of those products seeking continuous improvement in their actions and protection, health and safety of employees, clients, the community and the environment.

By committing to PRODIR, companies will show:

- Their commitment tocontinuous improvement;
- Their responsibility towards employees;
- Their awareness of the community's concerns.

Who benefits from this program and how?

First, the company, and then all employees, suppliers, clients and the community. It helps the company's executives to comply with the legislation and continuously reach high levels of protection for their employees, clients, the community and the environment. This process consists of a continuous and well-intended effort made by each company through time to reach the levels of improvement described in PRODIR's codes and management practices, in all of the company's facilities, and in all aspects of chemicals and petrochemicals distribution.

Target-audience: Chemicals and petrochemicals Distributors, members of ASSOCIQUIM / SINCOQUIM.

How does the program work?

Implementation period: Eighteen months for the process to be fully implemented in the company and to be audited by an Independent Organization accredited by ASSOCIQUIM. The certification is valid for three years and requires an annual maintenance audit.

Frequency: annual audits - First year - documental and on-site verifications. Second and third years - on-site verifications. After 3 years the company has to go through recertification, including a document and on-site verification.

Implementation Venue: in all company sites where chemicals are stored (branches, headquarters, outsourced warehouses).

Implementation of the following PRODIR Codes and their respective Management Practices in all the company's facilities and units including all aspects of chemicals and petrochemicals distribution:

I - Risk Management
II - Commitment Review and Training
III - Carriers Selection
IV - Handling and Storage
V - Job procedures and training
VI - Waste Management and Conservation Practices
VII - Emergency Response and Public Preparedness
VIII - Community Outreach
IX - Product Stewardship
X - Internal audits
XI - Corrective and Preventive action
XII - Documents and Record Control

What are the challenges and the perspectives for the future?

- Acknowledgment by Chemicals and Petrochemicals manufacturers, by the Government, and especially acknowledgement by the chemicals distributors through their compliance with the PRODIR;
- Lower risk of accidents;
- Lower risk of non-compliance with legislation;
- Improvement of the company's image before society and the market;
- Speed in responding to emergencies;
- Increase in productivity /efficiency;
- Integration between the company's employees and third parties, clients and the community;
- Higher employee motivation;
- Higher management control;
- Higher level of internal organization.

How can other agribusiness companies work in a similar initiative?

At the beginning of 2012, ANDAV - Associação Nacional dos Distribuidores de Insumos Agrícolas e Veterinários (Brazilian Association of Agriculture and Veterinarian Products Distributors) contacted ASSOCIQUIM / SINCOQUIM to learn more about PRODIR and analyze how a similar process could be applied to their members. After several meetings to transfer knowhow and provide explanations on questions and adaptations, in August 2012 during the II ANDAV Congress - Agriculture Products Distribution Forum - ANDAV launched ANDAV MAIS, whose principles and concepts are aligned with PRODIR.

This is a clear evidence that PRODIR - Responsible Distribution Process can be applied to more than one segment of products distribution, and can certainly contribute to the sustainability of the Brazilian industry's value chain.