European Nickel Forum

European Risk Assessment: Leading a Consultative Approach

In 2002, Dr. Sally Williams, an occupational physician who provided occupational health services for Inco Europe for 10 years, specializing in nickel and health in the workplace, was seconded to the Nickel Development Institute (NiDi) to serve as the organization's European Director – Health and Environment.

On behalf of all industry members, Dr. Williams is leading the European Nickel Group's (ENiG) Risk Assessment Team, a body created to provide input from the European Union's (EU) importers, producers and exporters of nickel for the European Union's European Risk Assessment process.

Advocating Fair Treatment

According to Dr. Williams, the consultative approach is the best way to serve the nickel industry. “We want to ensure that our industry is represented and fairly treated in the EU risk assessment and that no unreasonable restrictions are imposed as a result of the regulatory processes,” she says.

To achieve that goal, the ENiG Risk Assessment Team is committed to achieving a set of principles that include: promoting a sound scientific approach for the understanding and evaluation of the impact of nickel on human health and the environment; establishing a socio-economic profile of the industry in the EU to aid risk management decisions; and establishing a political and legal framework for timely evaluation and input into the practices, procedures and policy decisions encountered in the risk assessment processes.

Meeting the Needs of Society

Dr. Williams insists that working in a wide partnership also best serves society. “There are tremendous socio-economic benefits associated with nickel,” she says. “For instance, in the EU alone, it’s estimated that 700,000 jobs are directly dependent on nickel, as well as a further 1.25 to 1.5 million if you consider the broader applications of nickel use in articles and equipment. And we depend on nickel’s unique properties to make everything from aircraft engines to beer kegs.

“At the same time, nickel has some properties which have led to it being classified as a hazardous substance in certain situations. Certain nickel-containing substances can be associated with respiratory carcinogenicity, dermal sensitization and some other toxicities. So it's only right that we listen to the concerns expressed by governments, health and social organizations and ensure that appropriate risk control measures are in place. Indeed, we all stand to gain from a process that involves research and business context and open dialogue. Nickel deserves a fair assessment – one based not on potential hazard and assumption, but risk assessment of potential hazards and on sound science, socio-economic benefits and appropriate risk management strategies.”

It’s a view shared by David Cook, Chief Executive of The Natural Step, a leading international organization headquartered in Sweden that uses a science-based framework to help organizations and communities achieve sustainability. The Natural Step was recently invited to be part of a panel which reviewed the ENiG Risk Assessment Team’s study of the socio-economic value of nickel in the EU. “It seems the industry is taking a positive approach to sustainable development,” says Cook. “And that’s very encouraging. It’s important that we have a real understanding of the risks associated with nickel – as well as the very significant benefits. Particularly, I think of the enormous contribution nickel makes in the areas of health and hygiene.”