The European Network for Silica (NEPSI) is formed by the Employee and Employer European sectoral associations which signed the Social Dialogue "Agreement on Workers' Health Protection Through the Good Handling and Use of Crystalline Silica and Products Containing it" on 25 April 2006. These associations represent 19 industry sectors i.e. more than 2 million employees and a business exceeding € 250 billion.
The initial signatory organisations represent the aggregates, cement, ceramics, foundry, glass fibre, special glass, container glass, flat glass, industrial minerals, mineral wool, natural stones, mining, mortar and pre-cast concrete sectors. It remains open for further signatures. The Signatory European Industry Sector Associations are:
- A.st.A. Worldwide - World-wide Agglomerated Stone Manufacturers Association
- BIBM: International Bureau for Precast Concrete
- CAEF: The European Foundry Association
- CEEMET: Council of European Employers of the Metal, Engineering and Technology-Based Industries
- CEMBUREAU: The European Cement Association
- CERAME-UNIE: The European Ceramics Industries
- EMO: European Mortar Industry Organization
- ERMCO – European Ready Mixed Concrete Organisation
- EUROMINES: European Association of Mining Industries
- EUROROC: European and International Federation of Natural Stones Industries
- ESGA: European Special Glass Association
- ECSPA - European Calcium Silicate Producers Association
- EURIMA: European Insulation Manufacturers Association
- EUROGYPSUM - European federation of national associations of producers of gypsum products
- EXCA: European Expanded Clay Association
- FEVE: European Container Glass Federation
- GlassFibreEurope
- Glass for Europe: European Association of Flat Glass Manufacturers
- IMA-Europe: European Industrial Minerals Association
- UEPG: European Aggregates Association
The NEPSI industry sector organisations and their counterpart trade union federations negotiated a multisectoral social dialogue Agreement between 1 September 2005 and 2 February 2006. The European Commission supported the project, qualifying it as innovative: indeed, where European social dialogue agreements are usually sectoral or cross-industrial, this one is the first of its kind.