History of CHEM
Founding and Past History
The Container Handling Equipment Manufacturers Association (CHEM) was established during the mid-1960s by a group of companies supplying skip and hook loaders, refuse collection vehicles, static compactors and ejector trailers to the waste industry.
​
At that time, the CHEM members realised that there was a clear lack of co-ordination and communication between the container manufacturers and the manufacturers of waste container handling equipment supposed to lift them. This confusion resulted in a lack of compatibility between the two kinds of products, especially in terms of design, size and dimensional standards.
CHEM established a set of standards to help overcome these challenges, which over the years have, in many cases, become widely accepted as the industry standard.
Our Role in the Industry Today
Over the years, CHEM has played a crucial and active role in the waste industry as a whole with special emphasis on standardisation of refuse collection vehicles and health and safety regulations.
We have been there when members had to contend with extensive legislation including the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations, Noise Emission in the Environment by Equipment for Use Outdoors Regulations, Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) and Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER).
We conduct discussions, seminars and workshops where members are able to discuss various items of legislation as a group in order to gain an in-depth understanding of the requirements of the legislation and adopt a common approach to dealing with possible technical problems that may arise.
Similarly, we run technical committees who deal with technical questions related to their specific product types and establish common solutions which are of benefit to the waste operators.
​
We also work alongside other industry bodies such as WISH and HSE in order to both represent our member's interests, and to offer technical advice.
How we work at CHEM
CHEM is a voluntary association with a written constitution that sets down the criteria for membership, and a code of conduct for members to abide by.
​
We elect a Chairman & Vice Chairman at each annual general meeting (AGM) held in January. The Technical Committees also have their own Chairs, elected at the AGM.
We have a permanent Secretary, who is selected by agreement within the members, and is not a current serving employee of any member company to ensure impartiality.