Product Stewardship
Product stewardship and safety
Brenntag takes appropriate measures to ensure the proper handling of our products while they are under the Group’s stewardship. This includes procurement, packaging, classification and labelling, handling, storage and safe transportation as well as the creation of product dossiers and safety instructions as well as disposal, where necessary.
Here, Brenntag is bound by currently applicable standards and regulations and also closely cooperates with the industry’s national and regional umbrella associations which our country subsidiaries belong to. Brenntag is one of the companies that have participated for many years on a voluntary basis in the “Responsible Care/Responsible Distribution” Program. In addition, we are meeting in full the European Union’s chemicals regulation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) effective since July 1, 2007.
Responsible Care/Responsible Distribution
For many years now, Brenntag has taken part in the “Responsible Care/Responsible Distribution” (RC/RD) Program of the organization of the International Council of Chemical Trade Associations (ICCTA). We are therefore committed to the implementation of the eight guidelines laid down in this global program covering the following areas:
- Legal requirements
- Management of risk
- Policies and documentation
- Provision of information
- Training
- Emergency response
- Ongoing improvements
- Community interaction
Brenntag’s implementation of the contents of the RC/RD Program is reviewed by external experts. Environmental performance and safe handling of chemicals are thus reviewed and documented by independent third parties.
| Year | Proportion of Brenntag legal entities participating in the RC/RD Program (in %) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 69 |
| 2011 | 67 |
| 2012 | 67 |
| 2013 | 70 |
| 2014 | 76 |
The European chemicals regulation REACH
Since June 1, 2007, the European Union’s chemicals regulation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) has formed the legal framework for improved handling of chemicals to protect the environment and human health while also complying with sustainability objectives. Registration of all chemical substances is mandatory by mid-2018. After this deadline, non-registered substances and forms of use will become illegal. REACH also regulates the safe use of chemical products at user level. Brenntag is affected in various respects by REACH as part of its business operations as a distributor, importer and formulator and in certain cases, as a producer of chemicals.
With our transnational REACH team, consisting of a European network of experienced HSE and REACH experts, as well as with the support of the management, Brenntag is well equipped to meet the numerous requirements of the REACH regulation in full. Brenntag also offers an extensive range of services: Under the motto “REACH beyond”, our REACH-trained product managers and sales teams in Europe provide our suppliers and clients with support covering every aspect of the regulation:
- Ensuring a REACH-compliant supply and usage system
- Safeguarding optimal communication within the delivery chain
- Support in relation to many REACH-related issues
- Assistance with imported substances