• Chlorine Online Home
• Discover the chlorine universe
• Discover the European chlorine industry
• Euro Chlor Regulatory Affairs
• Euro Chlor Science Programme
• Euro Chlor Technical Corner
• News room
• The Euro Chlor Federation
• The European Chlorinated Solvent Association (ECSA)
  • About chlorinated solvents
  • Western European consumption
  • ECSA news
  • Position statements
    • Euro Chlor Position on ISO 14000 and its application to chlorinated solvents
    • ECSA statement on the OSHA’s new methylene chloride OEL
    • ECSA press statement on the IARC classification of trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene
    • November 2007 update on methylene chloride in paint removers
    • ECSA statement on the UK study "Spontaneous Abortion in Dry Cleaning Workers Potentially Exposed to Perchloroethylene"
    • Perchloroethylene and coin operated dry cleaning machines
    • "No link" between methylene chloride and cancer
    • Methylene chloride in paint removers
  • Guidance on the Solvents Emissions Directive for chlorinated solvent users
  • Solvents Digests
  • Guidance on storage and handling
  • Research
  • Trichloroethylene charter
  • Q&A on trichloroethylene
  • Dry-cleaning
  • White papers
  • International Committee of Textile Care (CINET)
  • Order your ECSA publication
• The Chlorinated Paraffins Sector Group
• Library
• Glossary
• Useful links
• Contact us
• Access keys

Euro Chlor Position on ISO 14000 and its application to chlorinated solvents

ISO 14000 is an internationally recognised Standard for Environmental Management Systems, which is widely used by businesses to demonstrate that their operations are under control and under continuous improvement as far as environmental impact is concerned.

The International Standard does not prohibit specific chemicals, but does encourage control of emissions, avoidance of pollution and industrial good practice for those installations approved to this standard.

Chlorinated solvents are not specifically prohibited under ISO 14000, although reduced emissions would be encouraged as part of improved environmental management. When chlorinated solvents are used, there is no reason to disallow an ISO 14000 registration, provided that good housekeeping and high standards are used to minimise the effects of these substances on both occupational health, and on the environment.

ECSA has promoted good practice in the use of chlorinated solvents for many years and can offer advice for a number of applications of trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, and methylene chloride. These solvents have continuing commercial importance and can be used safely and with minimum effect on the environment.

Revised June 2005