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IGUS : terms of reference

Approved by the Plenary Meeting on 11 May 2007

The activities of the International Group of experts on the explosion risks of Unstable Substances (IGUS) should be carried on by the following arrangements.

1. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

1.1. The general aims of IGUS should be to exchange and communicate information and ideas on the:
- prediction of explosive properties of industrial chemicals,
- phenomenology of explosions,
- testing with regard to fire and explosion hazards, and
- analysis of accident case histories,
in order to improve safe manufacture, handling, transport and storage of various kinds of dangerous materials.

1.2. The Group should be autonomous in respect of its affairs, establishing working groups, organising meetings, conferences, visits, experimental programmes and co-operative researches.

2. MEMBERSHIP

2.1. Membership of the Group is open to scientists from OECD countries who are:
- actively involved in the research, development or testing of dangerous materials; or
- advisors to government on such materials.

2.2. Scientists from non-OECD countries may apply for membership as independents if similarly engaged. The decision is taken by the Plenary Meeting. Independents are not eligible for office.

2.3. Experts from industry, actively working in the same areas, may attend Working Group meetings as observers at the discretion of the chairperson and with their prior agreement. If items of a confidential nature are to be discussed, members may request that a session of the meeting be held from which non-members are excluded.

2.4. Each member of the Group should be responsible for their own expenses in connection with the work of the Group.

2.5. Membership of and participation in the activities of the Group should not commit a member to any obligation other than those specifically implied in these terms of reference. No action should be taken by the Group to impose any other obligations on any member without their free consent.

3. MEETINGS

3.1. The Officers of the Group should convene a Plenary Meeting biennially, to be held, preferably in rotation, at the laboratories or elsewhere as arranged by the members.

3.2. At the Plenary Meetings, the members of the Group should decide upon their rules of procedure and upon the means whereby they should seek to carry out their purposes.

3.3. Should it be necessary to take a vote at a Plenary Meeting, it should be on the basis of one vote per member country attending, with the Chairperson having a casting vote. A quorum to consist of five member countries. Decisions should be by a two third majority.

3.4. When appropriate, a Steering Committee Meeting may be held at alternate years to the Plenary Meeting. The participants to these meetings should normally be the Chairperson, Secretary and Working Group Officers.

3.5. Whenever possible, meetings of the main Working Groups should be held annually, preferably in rotation, at the laboratories or elsewhere as arranged by the members. Currently, IGUS comprises two Working Groups:

• Energetic and Oxidising Substances (EOS).
  Remit: Test methods, classification and safety aspects relating to organic peroxides, self-reactive substances and other energetic substances, fertilisers, ammonium nitrate and oxidisers. Process hazards, particularly in relation to manufacturing. Incidents involving energetic substances.
• Explosives, Propellants and Pyrotechnics (EPP).
  Remit: Explosive properties, general test methods and thermodynamic ratings, phenomenology of explosions, safety and regulatory aspects related to explosives, pyrotechnics and propellants.

3.6. Ad-hoc sub-groups for particular projects or subjects may be set-up by the main Working Groups. These sub-groups may also be chaired by non-members.

3.7. The Working Groups should work by consensus (apart from decisions on participation). Any issues that cannot be resolved by consensus should be referred to the next Plenary Meeting.

4. OFFICERS

4.1. The Group should elect at its biennial Plenary Meetings from amongst its members a Chairperson, a Secretary and Working Group officers as it may consider necessary.

4.2. In order that domination of the Group should not rest in the hands of one country, the two principal officers should be selected from different countries.

4.3. The Chairperson and Secretary should provide, from the resources of their own organisation, the means to carry out their duties. Similarly, the other officers should provide the means of carrying out their duties.

5. CONTACT WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS

5.1. The Group submits when appropriate documents or proposals to other organisations through the Secretary.

5.2. Where IGUS makes representations or proposals to other organisations, they should clearly identify the origin of the contents.