It is no secret that, in terms of environmental regulation, our country still has a long way to go if we compare ourselves with large markets, such as Europe, for example. However, recent years have been marked by a greater promotion of preventive industrial actions that allow reducing the impact on the ecosystem.

In this sense, the Financial Market Commission (CMF) recently approved a "modification to the structure and content of the annual report of securities issuers" which, among other points, determines that companies "must" include details, in their annual reports, about the mechanisms that have been implemented to ensure compliance with the environmental obligations.

In addition, the Superintendency of the Environment (SMA) is developing a pilot project on environmental compliance to accordingly adjust their production processes, after previous warnings are given, in case of non-compliance. Representing the companies dedicated to the management and treatment of industrial, hazardous and household waste, Hidronor is the first and only one adhered to this pilot plan to this day, which will make it a national benchmark to show the lessons learned to other companies in the field.

“Cada uno de los rubros productivos de Chile tiene características muy particulares. Por ejemplo, para prestar servicios a la minería, que es la principal fuente económica de nuestro país, el transporte de residuos peligrosos e industriales tiene peculiaridades muy singulares. Al ingresar a la planta de tratamiento estos residuos deben pasar por estrictos controles, como toma de muestras, análisis en laboratorios, períodos de fragüe, estabilización de ciertos componentes químicos, etc., lo que lo convierte en un rubro sensible que debe actuar preventivamente, no solo para evitar sanciones legales y económicas, sino para afectar lo menos posible a nuestro ecosistema, que finalmente es lo más importante”, destaca Pablo Gutiérrez, gerente de Relaciones Institucionales de Hidronor Chile.

To conclude, the executive adds that "the call is to join this pilot plan before the SMA implements the regulation, enabling companies to adjust their processes, alerts and risk nuances, and respond according to the rules immediately.