Product stewardship and product safety

We actively identify and evaluate ways to mitigate possible effects of our products on both people and the environment while improving product performance. During the development of, and prior to marketing our products, we assess safety, health, and environmental (SHE) aspects as well as compliance with product safety legislation, both where the products are made and in their intended markets. Rigorous assessments required by government authorities are conducted and updated as new information becomes available to assure the safety of a new or modified product. Products used in particular markets, such as those that come in contact with food, undergo additional SHE assessments as appropriate.

In addition, we provide information to those who transport, use, and dispose of our products, including appropriate uses, potential health and environmental effects, personal protection and exposure controls, first aid measures, and disposal considerations. Through a disciplined surveillance process, we tailor our product safety warnings to comply with current and emerging local regulations. In 2010, more than 400,000 Safety Data Sheets covering more than 130,000 unique products were distributed to customers in more than 85 languages.

OIMS and other management systems ensure compliance with product stewardship regulations in more than 150 countries. Our Product Stewardship Information Management System (PSIMS) applies common global processes and a single global computer system to capture and communicate information on the safe handling, transport, use, and disposal of our products. PSIMS incorporates more than 5000 automated assessments to consistently appraise product characteristics and uses for compliance with existing global laws and regulations, and to provide responsible standards to specify precautions where laws and regulations do not exist or are considered inadequate.