ABOUT US
The European Cylinder Makers Association (ECMA) represents manufacturers of both refillable and non-refillable high-pressure gas cylinders in Europe.
ECMA is dedicated to ensuring the safety and technical excellence of gas cylinders. It actively participates in developing technical standards at both the European (CEN) and international (ISO) levels. Additionally, ECMA represents its members in regulatory forums such as the United Nations Committees on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and contributes to European Union legislation on gas cylinders.
For over 120 years, ECMA members have been at the forefront of manufacturing, innovating, and developing high-pressure gas cylinders. This legacy continues today, particularly with the rise of hydrogen usage, where ECMA members lead innovations in hydrogen storage and distribution.
ECMA MEMBERS
OUR HISTORY
European cylinder makers have long recognised the importance of working together on technical matters. A very important example of this was the work carried out with the European Commission in the 1980s to develop three European Directives for gas cylinders. These directives laid the foundations for the International and European standards that we have today.
With the creation of the single European Market coming in 1993 and the growing standardisation work at CEN and ISO it was clear to the European cylinders makers that a more formal organisation was needed to represent the views of the European cylinder makers.
As a consequence the leading European high pressure cylinder makers decided to create the European Cylinder Makers Association.
OUR STRUCTURE
The structure of ECMA has been developed to ensure a flexible organisation that can rapidly respond to the requirements of ECMA Members. There is a General Assembly which is the management body of the association. The General Assembly sets the policies and priorities of ECMA and provides a governance function. Members of the General Assembly are senior managers of their companies. The General Assembly usually meets face to face twice a year with other meetings being held by conference calls.
Reporting to the General Assembly is the Technical Group. The Technical Group comprises of senior technical representatives of their companies. The Technical Group discuss technical issues affecting the industry and develops technical positions that are used to support a common industry view.
To review specific technical issues, ad hoc groups are established. These ad hoc groups have a limited life. As with the General Assembly, the Technical Group meet face to face twice a year and hold other meetings by conference calls. ECMA is managed on a day to day basis by the Secretary General.
CODE OF CONDUCT
ECMA members have agreed to follow a code of conduct. This is to ensure that the values of ECMA are upheld.
By Membership of ECMA, ECMA members agree to:
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Comply with all legal and statutory obligations relating to the membership of ECMA.
Perform and act in good faith, consistent with the purpose, policies and principles of ECMA.
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Participate in the activities of ECMA in an ethical manner.
Comply with regional, national and local laws.
Promote and enable all voices to be heard.
Engage constructively in ECMA activities
Declare actual and potential conflicts of interest and manage them appropriately.
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Protect and ensure the confidentiality of data related to ECMA activities.
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Avoid and prevent any form of bribery or corruption.
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Escalate and resolve disputes and uphold agreed resolution.
MEETING RULES
It is the policy of the European Cylinder Makers Association to conduct its operations in strict compliance with antitrust laws. No activity of ECMA shall create the appearance of a violation of the letter or spirit of antitrust laws.
Antitrust laws apply not only at formal ECMA meetings, but also, to any gatherings, including social gatherings organised by ECMA.
Antitrust laws prohibit any discussions concerning:
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Comply with all legal and statutory obligations relating to the membership of ECMA.
Perform and act in good faith, consistent with the purpose, policies and principles of ECMA.
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Participate in the activities of ECMA in an ethical manner.
Comply with regional, national and local laws.
Promote and enable all voices to be heard.
Engage constructively in ECMA activities
Declare actual and potential conflicts of interest and manage them appropriately.
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Protect and ensure the confidentiality of data related to ECMA activities.
