We believe it is our responsibility to develop new molecules, products and applications to address disruptive sustainability macro trends at the molecular level, making a difference in everyday lives and enhancing the quality of life around the world. Eastman strives to ensure we manufacture products that are safe for our employees to handle and for our customers to use.
Eastman has a dedicated global product stewardship and regulatory affairs (PSRA) program, whose members report to Kellye Walker, executive vice president and chief legal officer. The PSRA program maintains a rigorous product safety review process that ensures our products are among the safest and most effective materials on the market. In compliance with global regulatory requirements, Eastman performs hazard assessments for 100% of our products. Our process is thoroughly documented in our Chemical management policy and includes review of the latest regulatory and toxicology information, including the development and/or review of a hazard assessment, preparation of safety data sheets (SDS), and other product- and application-related information. Each intended use of the product is systematically reviewed.
Our manufacturing sites in Latin America (two in Brazil) and plants in Asia (six in China, one in Malaysia, one in Korea) mirror our EU and the U.S. sites when it comes to product stewardship and product safety. No additional chemicals are produced in our manufacturing processes in Latin America and Asia. We have local sites outside the EU and U.S. regions to better serve the local markets with the same materials and products that are produced in the EU and the U.S. In Latin America and Asia, we fully comply with local legislation and provide all necessary information to the appropriate organizations to support the manufacturing and use of our products. Globally, we adhere to the same high Eastman product stewardship standards, including safety standards.
Members of Eastman’s PSRA closely monitor the laws and regulations that affect our products. We also actively pursue third-party certifications for sustainable products in markets that value an independent perspective on Eastman’s holistic approach to chemical management. These efforts include adhering to governmental requirements and conducting voluntary initiatives. The efforts include but are not limited to:
Responsible Care® Product Safety Code: As a manufacturer of chemicals since 1920 and a Responsible Care company for more than 25 years, Eastman has pledged to adhere to the Responsible Care Product Safety Code, which drives continuous improvement in chemical management. Eastman is committed to delivering products that are safe for their intended use throughout the life of the product. The Product Safety Code goes beyond regulatory requirements to give consumers confidence in the safety of the Eastman products they use and rely on every day.
International chemical control law: Like the European Union’s Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) program, many countries/regions have established industrial chemical control laws and have implemented national industrial chemical inventories to manage chemicals in commerce in the region. Eastman actively supports these governmental chemical management efforts and advocates for realistic chemical control programs that protect the environment and its people while encouraging innovation and sustainable use of natural resources.
Supporting a sustainable portfolio: Active engagement in chemical management at the corporate and country level provides opportunities for members of the PSRA program to proactively work with Eastman’s research and development chemists to design products that avoid or reduce the use of potential substances of concern whenever technically feasible. Eastman’s strategy for building and maintaining a sustainable portfolio is captured in our chemical management policy.
Identification of Substances of Concern: Eastman understands that some chemicals possess inherent hazards when used in certain applications. Members of the global PSRA program, no less than annually, monitor, measure and report hazardous substances identified on certain governmental, quasi-governmental and nongovernmental organization lists or covered by international conventions. Monitored lists include the EU REACH Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern for Authorisation (SVHC); the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) List of Classifications; the National Toxicology Program Report on Carcinogens; the Rotterdam Convention Annex III List of Chemicals Subject to Prior Informed Consent (PIC); and California’s Proposition 65 List. Eastman identifies substances present in purchased raw materials, intermediates or finished products that may be present on one or more of these published lists. Findings from the analysis are evaluated to potentially identify viable, alternative materials. Certain substances are managed exclusively as intermediates under carefully controlled conditions in all Eastman facilities and subsidiaries. This includes the substances carbon monoxide, ethylene oxide, gasoline - pyrolysis - debutanizer bottoms, O-anisidine, and O-toluidine.
Performing hazard assessments: Our PSRA program performs hazard and risk assessment reviews for 100% of our products. Monitoring potential risk classifications drives the Eastman goal of reduction or elimination of PBT, vPvB, CMR, ED and sensitizers from Eastman’s existing product portfolio. Monitoring hazards and risk classifications also highlights potential areas of the portfolio where there could be capacity for improvement. Active engagement in hazard and risk assessments provides opportunities for members of the PSRA program to proactively identify any potential human and/or environmental hazard concerns for a proposed product undergoing research and development. A course of action to eliminate the potential hazards and risks can then be designed and implemented.
Chemical substances manufactured or processed as nanoscale materials: Eastman embraces nanotechnology; these materials present unique properties which vary from properties associated with other forms or sizes of the same chemical substance. Such substances may only be used after a full safety assessment has been conducted. Eastman continuously reviews the use of such materials and appropriately reports our use of these materials in compliance with all regulations, including the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) §8(a) and Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/1881.
Responsible raw material sourcing: Sustainable material solutions are at the heart of our innovation platforms and are a critical driver of the company’s accelerating innovation strategy. Our overarching chemical management process supports independent, third-party certifications that provide a holistic approach to protecting people and the environment.
Animal welfare: Eastman ensures the safety of its products to our customers, employees, communities and the environment. We commit to not conducting studies using animals except where required by law, or to ensure the safety of our products when nonanimal alternatives are not available. When animal studies are necessary, either as required by governmental agencies or to ensure safety, Eastman is committed to the concept of the “three Rs” framework in safety studies. Elements of our commitment to animal welfare are detailed in our Animal testing policy.
GHS implementation: Countries around the world continue to adopt the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). As a global company, Eastman supports the use of GHS hazard classification for its products to meet the requirements of every country adopting this system. Members of our PSRA program communicate hazards pertaining to chemical substances to our customers via SDS and other product-related information. SDS are prepared in compliance with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), the GHS and/or country-specific requirements.