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Chemical companies have been criticized for doing too little to examine the potentially negative impacts of their products.
A survey of 23 chemical firms from nine countries by Munich-based rating agency oekom research found only a few are systematically assessing the risks and then minimizing them by modifying products.
oekem says this is particularly worrying given that the European Commission aims to introduce a new regulatory framework for chemicals, called Reach, that will force companies to do such work.
Some companies are, however, showing the way. oekem says BASF has developed an eco-efficiency analysis programme for new products before they enter the market, and Rohm & Haas and DuPont, both in the US, are seeking ways of minimizing the impacts of the substances they produce, by, for example, improving biological degradability or replacing hazardous components. ICI and DuPont also impressed with programmes to make products from renewable raw materials.
ICI, BASF and the German company Degussa topped oekem's rating using 200 criteria.
A survey of 23 chemical firms from nine countries by Munich-based rating agency oekom research found only a few are systematically assessing the risks and then minimizing them by modifying products.
oekem says this is particularly worrying given that the European Commission aims to introduce a new regulatory framework for chemicals, called Reach, that will force companies to do such work.
Some companies are, however, showing the way. oekem says BASF has developed an eco-efficiency analysis programme for new products before they enter the market, and Rohm & Haas and DuPont, both in the US, are seeking ways of minimizing the impacts of the substances they produce, by, for example, improving biological degradability or replacing hazardous components. ICI and DuPont also impressed with programmes to make products from renewable raw materials.
ICI, BASF and the German company Degussa topped oekem's rating using 200 criteria.
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