Sustainability
print this page make fonts smallermake fonts bigger

Nickel Institute Product Stewardship Activities - 2003


Notes:

Nickel Institute activities in support of Product Stewardship are reviewed with the Nickel Institute Board of Directors on an annual basis. The most recent report was made on 16 May, 2004, and is re-produced below.

This report has two sections. The first deals with "appropriate use" of nickel, the second deals with sustainable development. For most of the items there are links to further information. Inquiries concerning these activities are welcome.


Part One: Appropriate Use of Nickel

  • Dermatitis: Efforts to influence marketing of plated jewellery products in Australia, Canada and USA continued. Australia: AusNiNet (http://www.ausninet.org/ – the organisation of Australian nickel producers) engagement with regulators and jewellery industry; article in "Australian Jeweller" magazine; presentations by Dr. S. Williams and Dr. K. Heim to regulators, dermatologists and industry. North America: attempts to engage regulatory authorities and medical associations did not succeed because they had higher priorities and limited resources.
  • Dermatitis: Establishment of new web portal for consumers dealing with nickel allergic contact dermatitis (NACD) did not succeed. No host or partner could be found for such a portal because of lack of interest on the part of the North American medical community.
  • Reproductive toxicity: A review was conducted of existing public stewardship statements in light of developing understanding of reproductive toxicity issues, using the "plated taps and faucets" stewardship note as the template. Extensive (and on-going at the end of 2003) consultations on new language with metal finishing and plumbing manufacturing industries and United Kingdom Drinking Water Inspectorate.

Taps and faucets note: http://www.nickelinstitute.org//index.cfm/ci_id/11194.htm

  • Technical Support: A new technical support section was opened on the Nickel Institute website to be an educational resource for nickel industry customers. Modules offered in 2003: Product movement, "Safe Use of Nickel in the Workplace", and Waste Management.

http://www.nickelinstitute.org/index.cfm/ci_id/11191/la_id/1.htm (home page)http://www.nickelinstitute.org//index.cfm/ci_id/11079.htm (product movement)http://www.nickelinstitute.org//index.cfm/ci_id/12278.htm (safe use)http://www.nickelinstitute.org//index.cfm/ci_id/12322.htm (waste management)

  • Technical Support: The Nickel Institute was nominated to head environment sub-committee of the Materials Committee of the Mint Directors Conference. A draft report, to be presented in San Francisco in March 2004, was produced by the Nickel Institute. It will educate mint directors regarding the occupational and product use of nickel in coinage.
    http://www.nickelinstitute.org//index.cfm/ci_id/12984.htm

Part Two: Sustainable Development

  • Materials Flow Analysis: Expansion of Yale University nickel "stocks and flows" project, originally restricted to the European Union, will now include North America: Canada, USA and Mexico. Additional funding secured from the Government of Canada; additional researcher contracted.
  • Improved treatment of metal recycling by LCA methodology: Continuing engagement with the academic and consultant communities; LCA and recycling a funded priority for ICMM (International Council on Mining and Metals) where the Nickel Institute chairs LCA sub-group; workshop on LCA and recycling of metals held August 2003 in order to improve quality and usefulness of the existing nickel LCA.


Nickel