The world’s largest chemical companies are making only limited progress
on managing safety and sustainability risks, according to a study by
Ethical Investment Research Services.
Eiris found that although
most of the seven large global chemical producers it analyzed had taken
‘some initial steps’ to address chemical product safety and
sustainability concerns, only two – Akzo Nobel (Netherlands) and ICI
(UK) – had undertaken to phase out chemicals of concern where feasible,
or to avoid them in new products.
Eiris executive director Peter
Webster said the findings showed that the industry was ‘not yet fully
prepared for the challenge of phasing dangerous chemicals out of the
environment’ – a task given added urgency as the European Union
prepares to implement the so-called Reach framework, which regulates
the use of chemicals in products.
In addition to Akzo Nobel and
ICI, Eiris analyzed Ciba (Switzerland), Clariant (Switzerland),
Dainippon (Japan), Lanxess (Germany) and Solvay (Belgium).
