Ethiopian Cleaner Production Center (CPC)

BACKGROUND
The Ethiopian Cleaner Production Center (ECPC), established in April 2000, is part of the world wide UNIDO/UNEP National Cleaner Production Centers network.

The future picture is the existence of a network of institutions and individuals, whose major focal point is ECPC and committed to the promotion of cleaner production.

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2. OBJECTIVE

The over all objective of the center is to facilitate the transfer of technical information and know-how on the concepts of cleaner production technology. This transfer will mainly take place from developed and developing countries to industrial enterprises through foreign direct investment.

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3. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE & PERSONNEL

The ECPC is based in the Ethiopian Science & Technology Commission. It is managed by a director. The center has a board whose membership is drawn from government, industry, academia, R&D institutions and NGO's. The board guides the Center in the preparation of its strategic and annual work plans, oversees the program accomplishments and financial expenditures.

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4. FUNCTIONS OF THE CENTRE

Specifically the functions of the center, among others are:

Conduct in plant assessments to help companies in implementing measures to reduce waste
Conduct technical & environmental audits for industrial processes.
Offer technical assistance to companies interested in applying the cleaner production approach.
Organize and carry out demonstration projects in industrial establishments.

Prepare technical training programmes and materials for implant and specialized training's.
Train managers, technicians and even national consultants in tools and methods for continuous improvement of the production process.
Coordinate and offer training programmes & workshops on cleaner production.

Develop and operate an information network locally.
Promote the cleaner production concept through dissemination of information including technical publications.

Advice government agencies, primarily those concerned with environmental management, on legislative and policy measures as well as changes in regulatory activities to promote cleaner production.
Prepare guidelines for financial institutions on the incorporation of cleaner production considerations into investment decision-making.

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5. CLEANER PRODUCTION

CONCEPT

Cleaner production (CP) is the continuous application of an integrated preventive environmental strategy applied to processes, products and services to increase eco-efficiency and reduce the risk to human and the environment

For processes, CP includes conserving raw materials and energy, eliminating toxic raw materials and reducing the quantity and toxicity of all emissions and wastes.
For products, CP involves reducing the negative impacts along the life cycle of a product, from raw materials extraction to its ultimate disposal.
For services the strategy focuses on incorporating environmental concerns into designing and delivering services.

In general, cleaner production promotes the prevention of pollution and waste generation at the source of production as a more effective route to a sustainable industrial development.

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