Henkel Limited based in Hatfield (UK) has been ordered to pay nearly 120,000 GBP (thereof 98,000 GBP fine) for the accidental release of a surface treatment chemical and two other issues. The incident occurred at the Belvedere site in May 2002, due to the incorrect handling of a valve while loading a road tanker. As a consequence, part of the chemical was spilled onto uncontained land and discharged through the factory’s drainage systems into a nearby dyke. Site management initially believed that the spill had been completely contained on site. The Environment Agency was informed nine days later, after a patch of discoloured grass appeared next to the loading area.

The site had not implemented all necessary measures to prevent the release of chemicals into the environment due to spills. Also management mistakes were made. To ensure that such an incident will not happen again, the site management revised all relevant operating procedures and built a total containment structure to the tanker loading area. The effectiveness of the additional control measures will be reviewed by corporate auditors. Furthermore, the communication which followed the incident did not conform to Henkel’s expectations with respect to openness and timeliness. The learnings drawn from the incident have been communicated throughout the Company.