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Contact Us
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Benefits
IFA offers a large number of services to its members, including:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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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