History

In 1991, at a joint meeting in Gothenburg, Sweden, the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) and the European Association of Chemical Distributors (FECC), agreed to set up the framework of a “…world-wide chemical traders association” called International Council of Chemical Trade (ICCT).

It was also decided to limit membership of the association to countries having similar positions and problems, such as the United States, European countries, Australia, and Canada.

After this first meeting, a mission statement and an organizational structure were developed. As early as June 1991, the presidents of the European associations of chemical distribution and trade, representing FECC, decided that they would support the creation of this international council, and asked their American colleagues to prepare the official founding of an international chemical distributors federation.

At the end of 1991, the International Council of Chemical Trade Associations (ICCTA) was officially founded. The founding members have been the presidents of the national associations of the following countries: Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States. The mission statement, the organizational structure and other operational details were concluded.

Since then, ICCTA had two annual meetings: one in Europe and one in the United States. The work concentrated in particular, on the promotion of Responsible Care and Responsible Distribution programs. A joint ICCTA Program was agreed in 1996 highlighting eight ‘Guiding Principles’ which associations and member companies must abide by. Internal Rules (Statutes) were agreed to steer ICCTA’s activities as well as policies, processes and procedures.