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 UK members realised that there was a clear lack of co-ordination and communication between container manufacturers and the manufacturers of waste container handling equipment. 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 for years, have been widely accepted as the industry standard.
Our Role Today in the Industry
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 and Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. 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, the technical committees deal with technical questions related to their products and establish common solutions which are of benefit to the waste operators.
CHEM is a voluntary association with a written constitution in place that sets down the criteria for membership and a code of conduct for members to abide by. CHEM elects a chairman and vice-chairman at each annual general meeting (AGM) held in January. The chairmen of the technical committees are also elected at this meeting.
Please contact CHEM to enquire about or place an order for CHEM Codes of Practice.
Interested in becoming a member of the Container Handling Equipment Manufacturers Association?
