The European Fine Chemicals Group (EFCG) has proposed a set of voluntary guidelines for all non-GMP, ISO regulated fine chemicals manufactures. The line of reasoning is that there is a need to improve the supply chain and promote the highest level of risk management. CHEManager Europe asked Allan Laing, CEO of Pentagon, EFCG Board Member and Chairman of the Agrochemical & Intermediates Manufacturers in Europe (AIME), about the role of the voluntary guidelines.

CHEManager Europe: What was the motivation behind creating the voluntary guidelines?

A. Laing: To improve the competitive position of the AIME members as perceived by the major customer group, principally the global Crop Science major players.

What do they encompass?

A. Laing: They encompass an integrated set of guidelines for manufacturers. These guidelines extend across the supply chain and include all of the key elements expected of a responsible, compliant and professional business providing manufacturing services to the life science sector.

Why has this not been implemented before?

A. Laing: Until the AIME/EFCG initiative, there was no common-interest group in existence to drive such a project. It is also likely that the improvements achieved during recent years by European manufacturers are only now being considered to provide real competitive advantages as suppliers to the Crop Science majors.

How can companies evaluate compliance with the voluntary guidelines?

A. Laing: Safety, environmental and quality compliance can be evaluated by the guidleines which focus on the existence of management systems, procedures and evidence of good practice, improvements and employee engagement in these areas of activity. Companies can evaluate their own performance or have prospective customers do it for them. In both cases the evaluation will provide qualitative results to indicate the company's alignment with the guidelines.

How has the feedback been from fine chemical companies or other in­terested parties?

A. Laing: Some AIME members companies have tested the guidelines to date and the feedback is positive. The FDA has expressed interest in the guidelines and meetings may follow in the autumn. AIME will work with any reputable stakeholder in developing the guidleines across the global supply chain.