Chemical product usage

Risk description

Solvay’s exposure stems from the possibility of injury to or health impact on third parties or damage to their property caused by the use of a Solvay product, as well as from the resulting litigation.
Inappropriate use of one of Solvay products in a customer's plant, or use in applications or markets for which the product is not designed (inappropriate use), or use by the customer that is not endorsed by Solvay.
The possible consequences of a faulty product include exposure to liability for injury or health impairment and damage, and to product recalls. Product liability risk is generally higher for products used in healthcare and food & feed applications.
The possibility of an authorization for the use of a marketed product being refused due to its SVHC (substance of very high concern) character.

Solvay Safety Data Sheets (SDS) ensure harmonized content by implementing a common worldwide SAP system for the Group.
SDS are constantly maintained and distributed worldwide for all products to all customers in the appropriate languages. Global Business Units ensure that SDS are revised at least every three years, for all products they put on the market,
Recall procedures are developed and deployed as prescribed by the product stewardship programs.
Insurance reduces the financial impact of a product liability risk, including for first-party and third-party product recalls.

The Solvay “Product Safety Management Process” (PSMP) identifying risks relating to products marketed by Solvay has been updated to integrate new regulatory requirements and additional potential risk causes (legal, supply chain, etc.). All GBUs are implementing this process with a specific focus on prioritizing the required risk assessments in the products portfolio and on regularly deploying risk assessments for the most sensitive product applications.