Sumitomo Chemical Company Limited's Efforts Towards Chemical
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Sumitomo Chemical Company Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. Responsible Care Office Limited’s Efforts towards Tsuneo NARA* Chemical Management and Risk Communication The greatest feature of Sumitomo Chemical’s chemical management system is comprehensiveness based on our broad knowledge and technical ability as a chemical manufacturer. Furthermore, in order to practice risk communication, we are proactively holding dialogue with, and releasing information to, our diverse range of stakeholders, keeping in mind our motto “It is a mission for enterprises to grow together with the local commu- nity”. In February 2007 such efforts were finally acknowledged, when Sumitomo Chemical received the 2006 PRTR Grand Prize, the first time for a chemical company. Our company’s approach to chemical management and risk communication will be outlined in this document. This paper is translated from R&D Report, “SUMITOMO KAGAKU”, vol. 2007-II. Introduction ing lifestyle, and also to provide solutions to problems facing our society and the global environment. We Responsible care (RC) is an activity unique to each hope that continually promoting better CSR manage- enterprise for maintaining the environment, safety, ment activities will help us contribute to building more health and product quality over the whole life cycle of secure and sustainable development of society. its products and to deepen the trust and understanding received from other members of society, and at Sumito- Continuous Improvements in Proper Manage- mo Chemical Company Limited, we believe it is one of ment of Chemical Substances the most important pillars of our CSR management activities which extends to all of our factories and 1. Risk Management for Chemical Substances research centers in Japan and also to all Sumitomo We collect data and information on various types of group companies both within Japan and overseas. chemical substances over the whole of their life cycle, Particularly with the management of chemical sub- from research into and development of chemical prod- stances, furthering the tasks of risk management and ucts through to the manufacturing, distribution, con- risk communication is a central part of our policy of RC sumption and disposal of these products, and we use activity, and we are continually working on effective this data and information to thoroughly implement the planning and development of specific measures to necessary risk management (Fig. 1). implement this policy. And in addition to these RC activities, we also give the fullest consideration to the 2. Complementing RC activities through corpo- interests of society and economic needs by developing rate research responsible technologies and products which are born The range of RC activities covers a diverse scope through the practical application of “Sustainable Chem- including environmental protection, safety and disaster istry” in order to increase the value of our company prevention, occupational health and safety, chemical and to provide people with a more fruitful and reward- safety and product quality assurance. A high level of technological know how and specialization backing up * This paper has been edited from an original article which our chemical technology is required in order to accu- appeared on pages 53 – 60 of the June 2007 issue of the rately carry out management of chemical substances Chemical Business Journal (Kagaku Keizai) (Issued by The Chemical Daily) over such a wide range of areas. In order to achieve SUMITOMO KAGAKU (English 2007-II Edition) 2007-II, Report 5 Copyright © 2007 Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. 1 Sumitomo Chemical Company Limited’s Efforts towards Chemical Management and Risk Communication I Standardization and systematization for management I Risk assessment for chemical substances method and system Risk will be assessed with regard to both of hazards and risks. Hazards ··· Effects on human health and the environment Life cycle of Chemical Substances (ecosystem) Research Manufacturing Distribution Consumption Disposal Risks ··· Safety during the manufacturing process (fire and explosion, decomposition, reaction) I An experts’ support system has been established for risk assessments Various data and information Environmental Health Process & Production Science Laboratory (Osaka) Technology Center (Ehime) Hazards Risks Risk Analysis and Assessment Hazards Risks I Chemical products safety data system • Company-wide information database pertaining to the hazards and Risk Management risks of chemical substances — created in 1992 Facilities, emissions control, exposure control, • The database covers all data regarding our products, purchased MSDS, packaging, and indication of warning raw materials and intermediates — number of registered chemical substances = 3,600 Fig. 1 Risk Management for Chemical Substances this, we have established two research centers to carry resource that can be used when compiling material out safety testing and assessment for chemical sub- safety data sheets (MSDS) and other educational mate- stances and chemical processes from the point of view rials for use within the company (Fig. 1). of both risks and hazards for all companies in our group. These two centers are the Environmental 4. Advance examination system (management of Health Science Laboratory and the Process & Produc- chemical substances at each stage of develop- tion Technology Center. These two research centers ment and manufacturing) support conservation of the environment and maintain- We have established an advance examination system ing of safety by providing comprehensive technological as an integral part of our system for the management of backup for all of our products, processes and facilities chemical substances (Fig. 2). The scope of application (Fig. 1). for this system covers research, development and pro- duction of new products, as well as improvements to 3. Creation of a company-wide chemical product and rationalization of manufacturing processes for exist- safety database system ing products (hereinafter referred to as development In 1992, we established a chemical products safety and production). General managers, production man- database system as a basic database of risk and hazard agers and project managers on an intra-company scale information for our products (both products manufac- each hold a section of the responsibility for develop- tured by us and products for resale), purchased raw ment and production. At each stage of the whole materials and intermediates. This database was com- process starting from the basic research carried out puterized and placed online into our company-wide into our products through to the actual manufacturing computer network. Since the database was created and of these products, we assess the properties and also the first used in 1992, it has grown until it currently holds risks and hazards of all materials, investigate whether information on approximately 3600 registered chemical they comply with applicable laws and standards, and substances. This online database contributes greatly to also carry out a variety of other inspections and assess- our ability to provide information quickly and accurate- ments in order to make sure that our management of ly throughout the company, and it is also a useful basic chemical substances is completely thorough. SUMITOMO KAGAKU (English 2007-II Edition) 2007-II, Report 5 Copyright © 2007 Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. 2 Sumitomo Chemical Company Limited’s Efforts towards Chemical Management and Risk Communication • Investigations into chemical handling methods and usage • Clarification of required risk (safety) assessments and conducting assessments (investigation) (Comprehensive considerations for manufacturing methods, handling methods and usage) • Investigations into the safety and quality of competing products Fundamental • Considerations regarding compliance with applicable regulations and standards Research • Considerations regarding usage other than the primary usage, and safety assessments of such usage • Safety assessments taking into account the entire chemical life cycle (distribution, consumption and environmental conditions when disposed of) • Reviewing descriptions of warning labels for avoidance of dangers and misuse of products • Surveys on previous accidents involving similar products • Presentation of the 4M (Man, Machine, Material, Method) precautions • More detailed evaluation of the items that were evaluated in the fundamental research and implementation of measures • Users’ evaluations of prototypes of products to be mass-produced, analysis assessment of the results of physical distribution/market tests Industrialization Considerations • Preparation of information to be released outside the company such as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and emergency notification cards • Retrieval, cause analysis and countermeasures for problems detected during the production process that may eventually cause an accident, and confirmation of the effects of the countermeasures Test Production • Understanding users’ product usage status, safety assessments of products already on the market Full-Scale Production Fig. 2 Flow of Chemical Substance Management and Product Development Furthermore, detailed methods and procedures for then assessed, and finally an assessment of the risk carrying out risk assessment regarding matters such level is carried out (Fig. 3). as the risks of fire or explosion that relate to worker safety and effects on the environment as well as haz- PRTR compliance