FEATURE
LEADING THE WAY
Ansell’s experts shine a spotlight on navigating regulatory requirements while reducing the impact of PPE.
As global awareness of environmental issues grows, businesses are increasingly confronted with the dual challenge of achieving their sustainability goals while ensuring compliance with an ever-evolving regulatory landscape. One sector in which this is felt acutely is personal protective equipment (PPE) so how is it possible to reduce environmental impact and maintain product efficacy?
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, SUSTAINABILITY AND STAKEHOLDER DEMANDS In many industries, sustainability and regulatory compliance are often viewed as two sides of the same coin. While regulatory compliance serves as a foundational requirement for businesses, sustainability is increasingly becoming a competitive differentiator. Guido Van Duren, Ansell’s Director of Global Regulatory Compliance, believes that customer demands add pressure to ensure companies drive their sustainability strategy further. In his view, regulations are difficult to enforce, and therefore not effective without the additional pressure from market and customers.
It’s a perspective shared by Indiana de Seze, Associate Director of Regulatory Affairs at Ansell, as she describes two main drivers: “One is governance and legislative – a few regulations are already in the pipeline or have been adopted – and we’re particularly looking at what’s happening in the EU. The other is market demand. The convergence between these two drivers means a better knowledge of what goes into our products.”
Nalise Hahn, an independent sustainability consultant who works with a number of businesses to understand, co-ordinate and enhance their sustainability strategies, believes there are further positive motivations for organisations to accelerate progress.
She said: “I think many forward-thinking businesses are seeking to take action, because they've recognised
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there are so many competitive advantages to doing that. For some businesses that means responding to customer demand. For others it means recognising efficiencies and for some it’s all about brand – really strengthening or adapting that to meet market or investor demand.”
So, it’s clear there are many reasons to accelerate sustainability strategy, but what does this action look like in practice? And how can businesses share their progress without falling into the greenwashing trap?
TAKING ACTION – BEYOND CARBON EMISSIONS While actions to reduce carbon emissions are a significant aim of environmental regulations, they represent just one facet of a broader regulatory framework. Compliance encompasses various issues, including the use of hazardous chemicals in products, extended producer responsibility and accuracy of green claims.
All experts agree that greenwashing is a big problem in the industry – and the wider business landscape – welcoming the Green Claims Directive that will make businesses liable for greenwashing and misleading sustainability claims.
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/topics/en/article/20240111STO16722/stopping-greenwashing-how-the- eu-regulates-green-claims
The rise in false or misleading environmental claims has prompted regulatory bodies to act decisively. In France, for instance, specific terms like ‘biodegradable’ and ‘environmentally friendly’ are discouraged as they’re considered vague and confusing. For businesses, this creates clearer guidelines, but brings its own set of challenges – especially for those operating across international markets.
Guido Van Duren believes transparency and accountability are the real benefits of creating a unified greenwashing regulation, matching the stringent, evidence-based model France has adopted. “It adds
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