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Select SDGs to find out how we are taking action in support of the UN Substinable Development Goals
As a leading global chemical company, ICL is careful to ensure that the chemical substances it produces and sells are handled in accordance with all rules and regulations throughout their life cycle.
ICL allocates resources to investigate and collect sufficient data regarding its products to fully characterize their safety to human health and the environment. We accomplish this by performing or obtaining studies on toxicology, environmental fate, environmental toxicity and more.
As a leading global chemical company, ICL is careful to ensure that the chemical substances it produces and sells are handled in accordance with all rules and regulations throughout their life cycle. ICL prepares documentation containing information about chemicals, and provides proper guidance to employees, contractors, customers and the public, on the safe use of ICL’s chemicals and products. All ICL divisions implement the European regulation for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), and register their chemicals as required by law. ICL has submitted registration applications for all the chemicals relevant for its businesses in the EU (production and sale). Several substances are under evaluation by the authorities (ECHA and Member State regulators), some of which have been listed as Substances of Very High Concern. ICL has volunteered to lead and prepare joint dossiers for dozens of substances (acting as a Lead Registrant).
ICL uses toxicology, environmental fate, environmental toxicity data and more to classify chemicals and products according to the UN Global Harmonization System (GHS), a classification and labeling which has been adopted by multiple countries worldwide. All of the ICL’s relevant chemicals are classified in line with their respective classification and labeling regulations. All (100%) of ICL products undergo hazard assessments.
ICL performs detailed identification of all products, and its constituents. As part of the SDS procedure, and SDS creation process, the entire composition of the products is identified, reviewed and assessed for hazards. This periodic assessment process applies to all existing as well as to new/ R&D products.
The SDS lists the global regulatory status of each product, and is periodically updated to stay in line with regulatory developments. In addition, product specific regulatory information about registrations/notifications status is communicated to the relevant business segments and customer on a regular basis and upon request.
In addition to REACH and the various chemical-specific limitations, the European Commission has introduced a new Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS).
CSS was launched in October 2020 to provide a new long-term strategy for chemicals related policy, in line with the aims of the EU Green Deal. The CSS strives for a toxic-free environment, in which chemicals are manufactured and used in a way that maximizes their societal contribution, but avoids causing harm to the environment or the population, now and in the future. The strategy contains around 80 action points, which may have a significant impact on existing or future legislative frameworks such as CLP (Classification, Packaging and Labelling Regulation) and REACH.
We are carefully monitoring developments related to CSS, in order to be prepared for upcoming regulatory requirements which may affect many of our products.
ICL has significantly reduced its production of methyl bromide (for soil fumigation applications) over the past twenty years. ICL has recently shut down one of its facilities used for methyl bromide, thus reducing production even further. Methyl bromide (used for soil fumigation) has been included in the list of controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol. This substance is being phased out internationally.
ICL closely monitors regulatory developments for its products, and is fully compliant with all the relevant regulatory decisions in each region, including restrictions and bans.
To read more about regulations and limits of our products, please see ICL’s 2021 Annual Report (sections Hazardous substances, Limitation Regulation and Registration of our Products).
As part of product licensing requirements in various countries, data must be submitted regarding the properties of registered substances and their effect on human health and the environment. Most of this data is collected through studies, including animal testing, and conclusions are then extrapolated with respect to humans. Such studies are only conducted in certified laboratories which are required to perform them according to set guidelines accepted by authorities throughout the world, and that ensure the welfare of the animals as per legal requirements prescribed for such purposes.
Some of the required studies are complex and necessitate the use of numerous animals, significant monetary costs and time frames that delay the submission of licensing files. In addition, in light of increasing global awareness regarding the welfare of animals, use of animals has been limited, at least regarding licensing with respect to products currently under development. As a result, methods are constantly being developed around the world, including the use of computerized models for prediction, as well as experimental models in tissue cultures. Some of these models are even accepted by authorities as substitutes for studies on animals.
Over the years, ICL has made an effort to identify the most reliable and appropriate models that can provide data regarding the properties of substances under development. These models have replaced some animal testing, at least in initial product development stages. Thus far, we have succeeded in identifying alternative methods relating to a number of properties, such as immediate toxicity of substances, nervous system toxicity, skin and eye irritation, and toxicity in fetal development. An examination of methods that would provide data regarding endocrine (hormonal) system disruption effects, is currently underway.
Identification of products with toxicological/environmental concerns is an on-going process within ICL, where regulatory inputs are being communicated and taken on board by the business for the purpose of taking the necessary measures and looking for safer alternatives. ICL’s innovation infrastructure and other innovation process are an integral part of finding new alternatives. Overall, the company is building its future business strategies on offering sustainable solutions, with safe product’s profiles.
