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AGENDA MEETING OF THE MCA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
8:00 a. m. , Tuesday, September 10, 1974 The Links Club, 36 East 62nd Street, New York City
s* 1. Financial Report for Three Months Ended August 31, 1974. 2. Proposed Financial Support of National Academy of Sciences
Symposium on Specifications for Food Ingredients ($2, 000). 3. American Chemical Society Solicitation of MCA Members to Fund
the ACS Centennial Exhibit. 4. Toxicological Research on Industrial Chemicals. 5. Data Bank on Chemical Risk Characteristics. 6. Report by Chemical Industry Trade Advisor. 7. Legal Advisory Committee. 8. Administrative Matters.
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MINUTES OF MEETING MCA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The Links Club, New York City
Tuesday, September 10, 1974
Following breakfast at 8:00 a. m. , the meeting was called to order by Chairman McNeeley. There were present:
Harry D. McNeeley, Chairman James G. Affleck Warren M. Anderson Earle B. Barnes Frederick L, Bissinger C. Preston Cunningham
(for John W. Hanley) William J. Driver
Robert D. Goodall Edward R. Kane Joseph A. Neubauer Robert T. Powers Jack B. St. Clair Harold E. Thayer
Marx Leva, General Counsel George E. Best, Secretary-Treasurer
By invitation:
David H. Dawson, Chemical Industry Trade Advisor
Richard E. Manning, E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company
Charles S. Munson
Note: Mr. Manning was present only during the discussion with which he is identified in the minutes, and Mr. Leva was excused during this same period.
1 Financial Report for Three Months Ended August 31, 1974 Mr. Best reported the information shown in Exhibit A, attached. Addition ally, he stated there have been no membership resignations attendant to fee payments and that all fees due for the current fiscal year have been paid except that of Commonwealth Oil Refining Company, Inc. , whose Executive Contact has indicated payment will be forthcoming.
2. Proposed Financial Support of National Academy of Sciences
Symposium on Specifications for Food Ingredients
Subject proposal,
involving an MCA contribution of $2, 000 as recommended by the Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Chemicals Committee, was distributed in advance with the
tentative agenda.
It was agreed to recommend Board approval.
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3, American Chemical Society Solicitation of MCA Members to Fund
an ACS Centennial Exhibit
Mr. Driver explained this matter was brought
before the Executive Committee because one company that was solicited in
quired about the alternative of a single contribution by MCA on behalf of the
chemical industry. Comments revealed a consensus preferring to leave this
to individual company consideration.
4. Toxicological Research on Industrial Chemicals
Mr. Driver
summarized the paper on this item which was distributed in advance with
the tentative agenda, attached as Exhibit B.
After discussion, it was agreed to approve the recommendations contained therein, namely, (1) to continue with MCA administration of proj ects funded by voluntary subscription of interested member and non-member companies for the development of toxicological information on particular industrial chemicals as in the past, and (2) to provide that henceforth funding of subscribed projects shall include reimbursement to MCA for staff overhead as well as direct staff expenses involved subsequent to Board approval in each case.
At the same time, it was recognized that such activities relate to the broader matter covered in the next minute item and should receive further consideration in that connection.
5. Data Bank on Chemical Risk Characteristics
Mr. Driver re
lated that, as requested at the May 1974 meeting of the Executive Committee,
' the MCA staff consulted representatives of several member companies on the
question of whether MCA should develop and manage a data bank of scientific
information on chemicals, mainly drawing on member-company data, pertain
ing to occupational and environmental considerations. The consensus so
derived recognizes the desirability of a centralized source of such informa
tion, but opinions regarding a role for MCA are divergent. Accordingly, it
was recommended that an ad hoc committee be formed to study the matter,
comprised of representation from the Board and from research, medical,
and management disciplines.
Mr. St. Clair distributed copies of an analytical paper which emphasized the potentially broad range and complicated policy implications of such an undertaking, characterizing the paper as merely a "chopping block" for discussion purposes. After extensive comments, Chairman McNeeley proposed that a small group of Executive Committee members confer to delineate a suggested scope for the guidance of ad hoc committee consideration. His suggestion was accepted, and he said he would soon be in touch with several members for this purpose.
b. Report by Chemical Industry Trade Advisor
Dr. Dawson
expressed doubt about enactment of trade legislation by this Congress,
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-3especially if it does not reconvene after the election recess. He commented on the consideration being given by the Senate Finance Committee to several provisions of the Trade Reform Act as passed by the House which are of greatest concern to the chemical industry.
Dr. Dawson mentioned the preference of the Department of Com* merce for utilizing only formal channels for receiving advice, through an appointed advisory structure, in which event any role for the Office of the Chemical Industry Trade Advisor (OCITA) would be largely negated. On the other hand, the Special Trade Representative was said to favor continuation of informal discussion with industry group* adjunctive to the formal mechan ism.
Because it does not appear that preparation for negotiations on a substantial scale are likely to ensue for some time in the future, Dr. Dawson plans a retrenchment of,OCITA activities for the coming months, pending further developments.
ffttHESED MATERIAL REDACTED
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8. Administrative Matters
(a) Release of MCA Papers on Vinyl Chloride Toxicology Mr. Driver told of the request of CBS for certain Association papers pertain ing to MCA-administered research and related attention on vinyl chloride toxicology, all of which were given earlier to the National Institute of Occu pational Safety and Health, and of the delays involved in obtaining companyby-company clearance among the sponsors. He reminded that such delay of itself tends to create a bad impression through an'appearance of reluctance or evasion. He indicated his desire to proceed with the release.
There was ready agreement that Mr. Driver should abide by his judgment in such matters, seeking advice from Executive Committee and Board officers as seems warranted.
i.b) MCA Policy Statement on Environmental Health
Chairman
McNeeley requested that. MCA's policy statement concerning the environment
be reviewed and action initiated for updating if needed to make it currently
applicable.
(c) MCA Testimony on Energy Conservation
Mr. Driver dis
tributed copies of a draft of MCA testimony intended for presentation at a
Government hearing in October on energy conservation relative to Project
Independence. He indicated the proposed testimony is consistent with the
7MCA policy statement on energy issued some months ago, and invited com
ments on it.
Certified correct:
sC tfoc+V
George E. Best Secretary-Treasurer
Harry D. McNeeley, Chairman Executive Committee
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EXHIBIT A
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-TREASURER September 10. 1974
Dollar amounts rounded from tabular details
($000)
&
INCOME & EXPENSE June 1 . 1974 Aug. 31. 1974 - 3 Months (237.)
Income - Membership Fees - Other
$2,011 116
$2,127
Percent of Total Budget
101.3617.
39.322% 93.330%
Expense - Operations . Projects
$ 438 60
22.0217.
13.9537. 498 20.5877.
ASSETS (Aa of Aug. 31. 1974)
Cash
Investments Miscellaneous
$ 76 3,322 6
$3,404
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EXHIBIT B TOXICOLOGICAL RESEARCH ON INDUSTRIAL CHEMICALS
An inquiry was posed by the chairman of the Public Affairs Committee of The Society of the Plastics Industry requesting clarifi cation of MCA policy in respect to "collection, collation, and/or initiation of toxicological work on industrial chemicals." This question was raised because of SPI's interest in chemicals used in the manufacture of various plastics, and because of lack of under standing, in some quarters, about MCA's continuing to administer research on the toxicology of vinyl chloride. It was indicated SPI favors having the development of such information proceed under the auspices of MCA.
As administration in recent years of projects involving toxicol ogical search and research on phosgene, phthalic acid esters, and vinyl chloride would indicate, there is ample precedent for such at tention organized through MCA, and there has been no thought or suggestion to discontinue.
Such projects have not been prompted or initiated by MCA, nor has MCA solicited supportive participation. In each case, they have been suggested to MCA as being of potential interest for collective support, and MCA has afforded all its members an opportunity to ex.press such interest, after which each project's development and fund ing has proceeded in accord with the prospective sponsors' desires. Opportunity for participation has been extended to non-member com, panies, also. Defined projects have been subject to Board approval, as to both substance and extent of funding.
It is recommended that this practice be approved for continua tion, specifically providing that funding be provided by voluntary subscription of participating sponsors as in the past, so that the cost may be borne and shared by those interested in having the information developed.
At the same time, it is recommended that for all future sub scribed projects, whatever the subject, there be provision for re imbursement to MCA of staff overhead as well as direct staff expenses subsequent to Board approval of the project, such costs in estimated amount to be included in the stated funding. This is in the interest of equity, so that Association funds are not being applied to serve the special interests of a limited number of com panies, including non-members in some instances. Heretofore, this diversion was not of such magnitude as to be significant, but recently has become so.
MCA EC - 9/10/74
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Undistributed AH74 "Um l Ml*lt** September 10
7.
Committee Meeting,
tow MArERIAL REDACTED
George^E. Best Secret.ryT reesurer
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