Product Stewardship is a management tool that must be owned and used by all the key functions in a Company: Manufacturing, Technology, and obviously Marketing and Sales. It’s clear also that it isn’t a goal in itself, but a Business Driving Instrument, based upon the principles of Responsible Care.

Product Stewardship must apply all along the supply and manufacturing chain, and has to be highly interactive, from suppliers and designers, to manufacturers and users. Product Stewardship has also more and more interaction with the Authorities.

External drivers

• Commitment to Responsible Care, through Voluntary programs and initiatives.

• Customer Needs/Requests, and Industry standards.

• Trend in National, Regional, and International Regulations: Compliance issues & Trade barriers.
  Product Liability, well beyond base legal compliance.

• Media, Political, and Public Concern, that obviously influence purchasing decision.

• Global Harmonization, Regulatory & Voluntary Programs, Business Environment / Economic Situation.

We can call this our License to operate. It’s again multidimensional, not only in space, or along the value chain, but also in the time dimension, since Regulations as well as Public and Media concerns are evolving rapidely.

Internal drivers

• To commit Company to Responsible Care through all its dimensions.

• To meet internal policies.

• To advocate “sound science”.

• To be the preferred supplier/better.

• To fulfill marketing strategies.

• To establish an economic advantage.

• To meet regulatory requirements.

Business Support

It is owned, initiated and used by all the functions of a Company, and all along the value chain, for :  

• Product Improvement – help develop less hazardous, more desirable and profitable products

• Risk Assessments and Risk Management.

• Distributor Selection – help select & train distributors on SH&E issues.

• Customer Support – provide comprehensive SH&E support to customers.

• Regulatory Compliance – develop systems to identify & ensure compliance with product-related regulations.

• Training – train internal staff on Product SH&E information and when to involve PS.

• External Communications - supplier of SDS’s and otherSH&E information to help customers safely handle and useproducts.

• Incident & Emergency Preparedness – fully prepared to respond to product-related incidents & prevent re-occurrence.

• Provide support and resource for Customers emergencies related to our products.

•  Issue Management – monitor and support issues that can impact products or the business.

• Industry Association Participation – leverage resources/ promote sound Product Stewardship, especially targeted at Small and Medium Size Enterprises.