The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), a leading science and technology company, today announced that its UAE-based transportation partner, Tristar, has successfully completing the Safety & Quality Assessment System (SQAS) certification process. The certification, which is in line with Dow’s stringent Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) standards and is conducted by the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic), evaluates the quality, safety, security and environmental performance of logistics companies supplying the chemical industry.
At Dow’s recommendation, Tristar became the first logistics and transportation company in the Middle East and Africa to undergo the SQAS audit. From safe driving to waste management, the audit looks at key indicators that help customers assess a company’s safety record in a transparent manner. The audit identifies areas of improvement which are then openly discussed with customers. Tristar’s long-time commitment to safety – the company is a Dubai Quality Award winner – is what initially led Dow to partner with Tristar to transport Dow products across the entire Middle East and North Africa.
“Safety is in our DNA at Dow and is an intrinsic part of our company culture” said Suresh Krishnan, Supply Chain Operations & Improvement Leader for Dow in the Middle East and North Africa. “We have been active in the Middle East for more than 30 years and safety has always been at the forefront of our operations. We remain committed to achieving our 2015 Sustainability Goals, which makes strong provisions for the local protection of human health and the environment, and our decision to partner with Tristar and champion its SQAS certification reflects that.”
“We are proud to be the first transportation company in the region to be fully SQAS certified and we are thankful for Dow’s encouragement and support throughout the process,” said Eugene Mayne, Group Chief Executive-Tristar. “Dow is an important partner and stakeholder in our business and it has always been critical for us to operate within their set of global EH&S standards. The SQAS certification only serves to validate our systems and processes which have been in place and continuously improved over a decade old relationship”
In the Middle East, Dow has historically conducted its own audits to ensure compliance with the Company’s strict safety standards. Championing global safety standards such as the SQAS certification translates to more reliable and consistent supply chain operations throughout the region. The trend towards more transparency and regulation of safety standards in logistics and transportation continues to grow in the Middle East.
