Our manufacturing sites in Latin America (two in Brazil) and plants in Asia (six in China, one in Malaysia and one in Korea) mirror our European Union (EU) and U.S. sites when it comes to product stewardship and product safety. We have local sites outside the EU and U.S. regions to better serve the local markets. 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.
Eastman’s chemical management program
Eastman has a dedicated Global Product Stewardship and Regulatory Affairs (PSRA) program that maintains a rigorous product safety review process to ensure review of the latest regulatory and toxicology information.
PSRA, working with research and development (R&D), is responsible for reviewing potential new products to avoid or reduce the use of potential substances of concern when technically feasible. Using in silico tools and evaluating data for similar chemicals, PSRA provides information to R&D to identify new chemistries with better safety profiles.
Eastman recognizes hazard classifications as described by the EU CLP regulation; GHS classifications; IARC classifications; substances of very high concern (SVHC); REACH, Article 57 persistence criteria; persistent organic pollutants (POP) listed in the Stockholm Convention; and other regulatory and recognized hazard classifications.
At a frequency no less than annually, PSRA monitors certain governmental and nongovernmental lists (such as the SIN list) to identify substances of concern that could be present in internal processes, including raw materials, process chemicals, intermediates or finished products. Timely monitoring and evaluating potential risk classifications drive Eastman’s goal to reduce or eliminate certain hazardous substances from its existing product portfolio. These substances include those that are REACH persistent; carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic (CMR); endocrine disrupting (ED); substances of concern (SoCs); and sensitizers. Reduction or elimination will not be pursued when a less hazardous viable alternative does not yet exist or the intended use poses no risk to the environment or its inhabitants.
Chemical persistence
Eastman acknowledges that chemical persistence in the environment is a critical concern particularly when substances exhibit persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT); very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB); persistent, mobile and toxic (PMT); or very persistent and very mobile (vPvM) properties. These characteristics can lead to long-term environmental and human health risks due to their resistance to degradation and potential for bioaccumulation.
Eastman recognizes that certain substance groups, such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are of particular concern due to their high persistence and potential adverse impacts. We actively monitor regulatory developments and scientific assessments related to such substances.
We define “persistent chemicals" as substances that remain in the environment unchanged for a long time and that meet any of the criteria of being PBT, vPvB, PMT, vPvM or a POP.
One product composed of a SVHC vPvB chemical is used in closed and strictly controlled manufacturing conditions and is handled by professional workers. The fluid is enclosed in process lines and equipment, serving as a heat transfer fluid that is stable for 7- to 15-year time frames. This product is not sold on the consumer market.
There are a limited number of Eastman products that contain persistent chemicals, either as impurities or intentionally added. Evaluations are currently underway to reduce or identify suitable alternatives when possible.
Less than 1% of revenue comes from Eastman products that are classified as PBT/vPvB, and less than 4% of revenue comes from products containing "persistent" chemicals at greater than 0.1%.