Protecting Consumers and the Environment: A Comparison of Approaches to Developing Restricted Substance Lists by Makers of ‘Stuff We All Use’, is research by doctoral candidate Caroline Scruggs of Stanford University. This pilot which served to inform the design of a broader academic study highlights three companies - Sony Ericsson, Sara Lee and Skanska - all participants in the ChemSec Business Group.

The purpose of the research is to analyze and better understand the processes by which restricted substance lists are developed within progressive companies in different business sectors, and to learn how an externally created list such as the SIN List can aid downstream users in restricting hazardous chemicals in their products and supply chains. The study builds on in-depth interviews with senior sustainability management representatives from three international downstream user companies.

The companies in the study have all developed their own creative strategies for chemicals management, and work with their suppliers, in an effort to minimize hazardous substances in their products and supply chains.  Also, the representatives from these companies note the value of the SIN List in helping businesses anticipate the substances they should focus on phasing out of their products.

Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson has a banned substance list and a restricted substance list, both of which are posted on its website. Since the company sells the same products in all of its markets, it uses the most restrictive global requirements in the design of all its products.  Thus, a substance that is banned in any country where Sony Ericsson sells its phones will not be allowed in any Sony Ericsson product. Several SIN List chemicals are already on Sony Ericsson’s banned or restricted substance lists. The SIN List is seen as a good complement to Sony Ericsson’s materials declaration system, providing a way for the company to quickly scan chemicals included on suppliers’ declarations lists for potential hazards. 

Sara Lee

Sara Lee’s “lists” are better described as a targeted iterative evaluation “system,” comprising thousands of chemicals contained in thousands different raw materials the company uses. Sara Lee’s Category D is used to keep certain chemicals from entering products or processes, and the other three categories are used to phase out or manage all the chemicals that the company currently uses. The SIN List uses the same criteria for chemical inclusion as Sara Lee uses for Category D chemicals, so Sara Lee basically sees the SIN List as an extension of its own system.

Skanska

Several Skanska business units have developed their own chemicals management systems or restricted substance lists, which they use within their individual territories. Skanska’s global restricted substance list basically represents the overlap in all the Skanska business units’ lists, including chemicals that are either already covered by existing legislation or ones that will likely be regulated soon, and should therefore be restricted on all Skanska projects. As a downstream chemicals user, Skanska emphasized that it appreciates the importance of the SIN List and will use it as inspiration for construction industry relevant restrictions lists, both at the business unit level and company-wide.

Full report Protecting Consumers and the Environment: A Comparison of Approaches to Developing Restricted Substance Lists by Makers of ‘Stuff We All Use’