In 1995 some colleagues of the existing board of directors of SEPAWA Benelux were encouraged by their colleague, Horst Escher, to establish their own SEPAWA section, especially since SEPAWA set off an international development.

Apart from existing sections in Switzerland, it had been recognized that sections in other foreign countries would be beneficial. After discussions with our colleagues from the Netherlands and Belgium and after a SEPAWA presentation in Amersfoort, for interested experts from the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg, the SEPAWA Netherlands section was founded with initial support from TNO. 75 participants were counted at this historic meeting at the Hotel Berg, Amersfoort, in 1998. Meanwhile the SEPAWA can now report 150 members to this new section.
The Benelux division of the SEPAWA set the following goals at it's founding meeting:
The SEPAWA Benelux section is a platform for the exchange of information among the companies of our industry. The focus is on raw material producers, their distributors, formulators, legislative representatives and public authorities, branches of the industry, societies and scientific institutes in the Benelux market. Additionally, consumers, organizations, NGO's and retailers should have a greater share in this exchange, as well.

The SEPAWA especially helps our young colleagues making new contacts at meetings organized twice a year. Not only are the lectures very informative and highly scientific, but the breaks offer the opportunity to get to know the right people. The members of SEPAWA Benelux are well informed about activities of the other sections. All members are therefore also invited to attend the annual general meeting in Würzburg, Germany.
At the fifth anniversary of the Benelux section, it was unanimously decided to change the name SEPAWA NL to SEPAWA BNL (Benelux).

The board is made up as follows:

1. Chairman:
Jef Wittouck
Christeyns N.V.
Hauwsestraat 3
B- 9860 Oosterzele
Tel.: +32-(0)9-223 38 71
Fax: +32-(0)9-223 03 44
E-Mail: j.wittouck(at)christeyns.be


Secretary:
Erik Wolsink
Secretariaat Sepawa Benelux
Albert Cuypstraat 26
3817 RC Amersfoort
Tel. +31 (0)334624263
E-mail: e.wolsink(at)sepawa-bnl.eu  

Bank details:
Fortis Bank
Kto. Nr. 92 47 52 653
BIC: FTSBNL2R
IBAN NL17FTSB0924752653
t.g.v. SEPAWA Benelux
Postbus728
NL-7400 AS Deventer

Treasurer:
Mark de Witte

General board members:
Stijn Vandervoorde and Danielle van Corven (speech selection committee).