At Dow, each employee has a responsibility to make health, safety and environmental protection an integral part of everything we do. For this reason, we have implemented throughout our entire global operations a Product Stewardship Program based on the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care^® initiative. Dow Product Stewardship guidelines cover all stages of a product’s life and are closely monitored to assure continuous improvement.

REACH – an EU regulatory system for chemicals management – (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) represents a significant opportunity for chemicals manufacturers, their suppliers and customers to work together to protect the environment and preserve the future of the chemicals industry in Europe.

We intend to pre-register all of the eligible substances that we manufacture in the EU or manufacture outside the EU and import into the EU within the required timeframe.  We remain actively engaged in various REACH implementation projects initiated by the European Commission. These projects aim to develop the specific practical implementation guidelines for all value chain partners to ensure the successful implementation of REACH. For more information, please visit www.dow.com/reach

These Product Stewardship guidelines set high goals for addressing the complicated challenges of research, development, manufacture, quality assurance, distribution and marketing of Dow products and services.

Guidelines for Research and Development

• Obtain information on all our products which enables us to identify and alleviate potential problems before they become human or environmental hazards.
• Conduct needed tests at each stage of product development so that all potential hazards and environmental effects can be considered when making decisions about the product.
• Develop applications that permit the handling, use and ultimate disposal of our products without creating an unacceptable level of risk to our employees, customers, the public or the environment.
• Provide information to production, distribution and marketing personnel so that employees, distributors and customers may be instructed in the proper handling, use, storage and disposal of our products.
• Re-evaluate the need for additional health, environmental and safety information as technology, use patterns and governmental requirements change.

Guidelines for Manufacturing

• Carefully review product specifications or process changes which may alter product properties, utility or quality, including product impurities.
• Design plants, operating practices, processes and employee training programs that will improve the work environment.
• Assess existing chemical processes periodically to continuously improve the safety for Dow employees and surrounding communities based upon process enhancements and multiple layers of engineering protection.
• Inform employees of chemical, biological, and physical stresses in their work environment, methods of protection and control, and consequences of overexposure.
• Obtain the known, pertinent health and environmental information from a supplier of a chemical. Furnish this information to employees and contractors on Dow sites, as well as to outside contractors, who make, package, formulate or dispose of materials for us.
• Adhere to pollution control and industrial hygiene standards and guidelines. Respond promptly to local health and environmental concerns.
• Ship quality products in secure, accurately labeled containers and employ transportation equipment that is properly maintained and cleaned.

Guidelines for Quality Assurance

• Assure the quality of products and services we deliver to our customers through a system of specifications and standardized controls.
• Ensure that product documentation complies with all applicable governmental requirements for product safety, labeling, registration and certification.
• Audit performance of systems and processes; monitor conformance to procedures and policies.
• Provide technical and practical assistance in quality improvement programs and resolve quality problems.

Guidelines for Distribution

• Determine that appropriate steps are taken to protect persons, property and the environment while our products are being transported and stored.
• Select the proper containers for product distribution.
• Select carriers, warehouses and terminals to perform distribution functions consistent with Dow policies and Product Stewardship guidelines.

Guidelines for Marketing

• Furnish customers and distributors with appropriate information to promote the proper handling, use and disposal of our products.
• Inform customers and distributors about known use limitations and encourage them to use our products in accordance with label recommendations and safety data sheet guidelines.
• Alert Dow personnel immediately to problems of use that may involve human or environmental hazards, and offer assistance in modifications of either products or use patterns, as required, to correct these problems.

Guidelines for Business Directors

• Support programs to ensure the safe manufacture, distribution, use and disposal of all products within the business unit.
• Perform periodic health, safety and environmental review on all products.
• Provide the purchaser of a technology package or a business with all pertinent health and environmental information known to Dow at the time of purchase.
• Obtain from the seller of a technology package or a business all the known pertinent safety, health and environmental information.

For more information about the American Chemistry Council's Responsible Care initiative in the United States, visit the Responsible Care web site.