Membership Benefits

What Membership Means to Your Business

Founded in 1913, the Compressed Gas Association represents members from all facets of the industrial and medical gas and equipment industry in the United States and Canada. CGA’s primary mission is to develop and promote safety standards and practices for the safe manufacture, transportation, storage, transfilling, and disposal of industrial and medical gases and their containers. CGA is the recognized leader in the development of gas and equipment standards in North America and around the world, many of which are referenced by regulators at all levels of government. CGA members enjoy a number of services that benefit their businesses.

 Promoting Safety and Self-Regulation

Setting the Standard and Reducing Compliance Costs – The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has accredited CGA as a standards developing organization. CGA members lead the way in developing and maintaining safety and technical standards and publications, both National and International. As a member of one or more of CGA’s committees, you have a voice in the development of these standards and safety publications that promote a safer industry. Technical standards and safe practices are key to maintaining a self-regulated industry and reducing your regulatory compliance costs.

Avoiding Onerous and Unnecessary Regulation – CGA represents all facets of the industry – manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and transporters – in the formulation of legislation and regulations that impact our members. CGA, on behalf of its members, maintains strong relationships with key Government officials so that members are given early warning regarding regulatory and legislative developments and an opportunity to participate in the policy debate. CGA members and staff interface with DOT, FDA, DHS, OSHA, EPA, Transport Canada, Environment Canada, Health Canada, National Research Council (for National Fire Code), and provincial ministries to develop safe policies and sound regulations.

CGA is active in the development of building and fire preventions codes with the National Fire Protection Association and the International Code Council. By participating in both code arenas, CGA has been able to support and promote a uniform application of requirements for the storage and use of compressed gases. Further, CGA participates directly on numerous NFPA technical committees that produce standards that are referenced by state and local jurisdictions.

Keeping it Simple Through Uniform Standards – CGA membership is worldwide. Our affiliation with the European Industrial Gas Association (EIGA), Japan Industrial Gases Association (JIGA), and other associations allows our members to participate in international standards setting and harmonization of standards worldwide. Harmonized standards reduce compliance costs and make for more efficient operations. CGA is represented directly and indirectly on numerous technical committees and subcommittees of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). CGA is the U.S. technical advisory group (TAG) administrator for several technical committees and subcommittees of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and holds the Secretariat for ISO/TC 58/SC 4. CGA is also involved with the United Nations Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods and the Subcommittee on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals.

A Forum to Help You Address Issues

Bringing the Best Minds Together to Benefit All – Meetings and seminars are designed to share information about current industry safety and environmental practices and are often available only to CGA members. These meetings provide you opportunities to interact with decision makers in the industry and allow you to learn from industry experts about practices to help make your operations safer and more cost-effective.

Keeping Your Employees Safe – Sharing information about incidents and updating safety standards are important in keeping your employees safe and strengthen CGA standards to help the industry operate as largely self regulating.

Emergency Help When You Need It – Being a CGA member allows you access to membership in the Compressed Gas Emergency Action Plan (COMPGEAP) in the U.S. and Canada, which provides for mutual aid in the event of a transportation incident. COMPGEAP is recognized by CANUTEC, the Canadian federal government’s dangerous goods incident response organization, as a valuable resource in the event of accidents involving dangerous goods as Gases, Class 2.

Resources Essential to Your Business

Reducing Your Training Costs – CGA members have free electronic access to most CGA publications. Printed publications are also available and members can purchase these publications at a discount of up to 45%. Videos are available at a discount of 20% off non-member prices.

Opportunities to Market Your Business – Sponsorships of meetings and seminars provide opportunities to promote your company and products with hundreds of important industry representatives.

Keeping You Informed – CGA Compressions newsletter highlights industry news and CGA events and is distributed free to CGA members.