ILA Annual Review 2011 published

The Annual Review 2011 of the International Lead Association (ILA) is now available and charts some significant changes experienced by the association during the year.

In 2011 ILA developed a new Strategic Business Plan for a more proactive approach to the long-term challenges that affect the lead industry. These key priorities were identified as Regulatory Affairs, Communications and Sustainability, and Research. This initiative was backed up by the appointment of new staff to all these areas of work.

Regulatory Affairs focussed on further work on the REACH Regulation and EU Directives on water, batteries, end-of-life vehicles and industrial emissions. Support was also provided to the Association of Battery Recyclers for its initiatives in the USA.

The industry also continued its long history of investment in state-of-the-art research through ILA sponsored research by the International Lead Zinc Reasearch Organisation, which has developed ways to derive lead in water standards more accurately. There was also an important life cycle study of primary and secondary lead production which provided the EU with much-needed information to assess lead through the value chain.

Sustainability work centred on the Lead Action 21 programme and the work of the International Lead Management Center which was involved in initiatives supporting industry, governments and intergovernmental organisations to manage risk associated with lead, particularly in the battery recycling sector.

Looking ahead ILA Managing Director Dr Andy Bush recognised the challenges that face the lead industry. “With these challenges come opportunities to further strengthen the reputation of the industry as a responsible sector with a sustainable future,” he said.

The year also saw the retirement of Dr David Wilson as ILA Managing Director after 35 years with the Association.

Dr Bush, said: “I would like to thank David for his tremendous enthusiasm and commitment to the Associations over the years.”

The Annual Review also reports on the work of the Advanced Lead-Acid Battery Consortium and the Association of Battery Recyclers.