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Benefits and Responsibilities of IFA Membership

Updated: January 2008
| Benefits | Responsibilities |  | Back |
Benefits

IFA offers a large number of services to its members, including: 

Comparative analysis and information
  • Statistics
    Nearly fifty statistical reports produced by IFA every year are reserved exclusively for members in good standing. These include quarterly and annual figures on production and international trade, as well as annual global capacity and fertilizer demand data.
  • Reports
    During the year, the Secretariat produces a number of documents to inform members of global policy and market developments. These include outlook reports on fertilizer supply and demand, updates on regional developments, issues management surveys and production capacity reports. IFA also provides information on technical advances in production.
  • Industry emissions and safety benchmarking
    In order to help members improve their environmental and social performances in a reportable and verifiable framework, the Association carries out several benchmarking exercises. Data is collected every two years on emissions. The survey on safety in production facilities is annual. These allow companies to plot their own improvements and to compare their performances against the rest of the fertilizer industry.
  • Technical information
    Through numerous meetings, reports and publications, members receive a constant stream of information that allows them to follow technical advances in fertilizer production. This information also includes related topics, such as environmental and social issues.
  • "Members Only" web site
    IFA members have exclusive access to the password-protected section of the Association's web site. This area provides updated information on IFA's advocacy activities as well as publications, statistics and reports that are available only to members. Details on conferences that are reserved for members and online registration are available in this area. IFA's committees and working groups have online bulletin boards and virtual workspaces.
  • Publications
    In addition to the statistics and reports mentioned above, IFA members automatically receive all IFA information products that are destined for the public. Furthermore, the membership directory is updated twice a year, and an annual bibliography is distributed to members each year.
 
Knowledge sharing and networking
  • Conferences reserved for members
    Most of the events organized by IFA are reserved strictly for members, including the Annual Conference, the largest event of the world fertilizer industry. IFA conferences offer opportunities for interaction with colleagues from across the globe. Committee and working group meetings are often held in conjunction with these conferences. IFA events are scheduled in varying locations across all world regions in order to accommodate the global membership.
  • Peer contact and external representation
    IFA provides a platform for its members to meet, with opportunities for them to interact with relevant policymakers, stakeholders and other key contacts. IFA opens the door to groups that shape the industry's operating environment.

    IFA has consultative status with various agencies of the United Nations (UN), including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The Association also cooperates actively with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Bank and the World Trade Organization (WTO).
  • Committees, task forces and working groups
    IFA members have the opportunity to participate in as many committees, task forces and working groups as they choose. Participants receive the latest information on key matters, have the opportunity to suggest new topics and assist in drafting the common positions adopted by the Association.

    IFA also participates in the International Agri-Food Network that groups trade associations from across the food value chain.
 
Policy and profile
  • Issues management and policy guidance
    Economic impacts, government regulations and societal expectations are just some of the issues confronting fertilizer companies across the globe. IFA helps companies follow developments and form appropriate responses. At the same time, members can raise issues within the framework of IFA's working bodies to seek guidance, cooperation with colleagues or the pooling of resources through the Association.

    IFA carries out issues surveys and helps to coordinate the activities of regional and national fertilizer associations in order to optimize the use of industry resources. IFA acts as a communications hub and represents the industry with relevant international bodies.
  • Company visibility
    Participation in IFA activities offers the possibility for a member company to raise its profile and improve its public image. Such opportunities include assuming a leadership position within IFA, hosting an IFA event or sponsoring an activity. In some instances, IFA highlights the best practices of member companies in various fields, such as efficient production, the promotion of responsible fertilizer use and the implementation of sustainable development principles.

    IFA membership indicates that a company belongs to the global fertilizer industry, a particularly useful distinction for traders and distributors entering new markets. Members can include the IFA logo and a statement of their membership on company letterhead and web sites. Membership certificates are provided on request.
 
Responsibilities of membership

Dues-paying members are expected to support the positions adopted by the Association and are therefore encouraged to participate in the working groups that draw up such documents. The strength of IFA's advocacy lies in the diligence of its members; all IFA members have a role in communicating the industry's messages externally and transmitting the fertilizer industry's agreed positions to government authorities and relevant external stakeholders at all levels.

The Association's goals can only be achieved with the active involvement of its members. Member companies are expected to contribute to working groups and to respond to surveys, draft documents and other requests for input in a timely manner.

Each member company is requested to nominate a Main Contact, who is responsible for ensuring the distribution of IFA information internally. Effective distribution multiplies membership benefits by allowing IFA services and products to be used widely throughout the company.

IFA members are expected to conduct their business in an ethical manner. Members should strive for excellence in the performance of their daily activities. Every IFA member company is considered an ambassador of the industry-at-large and is expected to operate in a way that reflects well on the fertilizer industry as a whole.

IFA members are obliged to respect the Association's intellectual property, which is covered by normal copyright law and relevant international treaties, such as those agreed within the framework of the World Intellectual Property Organization and the World Trade Organization Agreement on the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).

IFA members are expected to abide by the Association's Principles of Safety in Fertilizer Production.

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