Next Topic
Select SDGs to find out how we are taking action in support of the UN Substinable Development Goals
As a leading global chemicals 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. The Company accomplishes this by performing or obtaining studies on toxicology, environmental fate, environmental toxicity and more. ICL uses this information to classify each chemical and product according to the UN Global Harmonization System (GHS) for classification and labeling which has been adopted by many countries around the globe, or other relevant regulations. All of the Company’s relevant chemicals are classified in line with their respective classification & labeling regulations. All (100%) of ICL products undergo hazard assessments.
As a leading global chemicals 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 which contains information regarding the 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 are implementing the European Regulation for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and register their chemicals as required by law. ICL has submitted applications for registration for all the chemicals relevant for its businesses in the EU (production and sale). Several substances are under evaluation by the authorities (ECHA and a Member State), some of which have been listed as Substances of Very High Concern. The Company has volunteered to lead and prepare joint dossiers for dozens of substances (acting as a “Lead Registrant”).
ICL expects future regulatory changes that will impact its products including:
The European Commission is expected to introduce significant changes to current EU REACH and CLP regulatory schemes as a result of the recently published European Strategy for Sustainability (the European Green Deal), and as part of the 2030 vision towards a “toxic free” environment. ICL is actively monitoring these developments and is participating in public commenting via industry forums.
ICL is a producer of Methyl Bromide (used for soil fumigation) which has been included in the list of controlled substances under the Montreal Protocol. This substance is being phased out internationally other than for critical uses. As a result, ICL has significantly reduced its production of Methyl Bromide (for soil fumigation applications) over the past 20 years.
To read more about regulations and limits of our products, please see ICL’s 2020 Annual Report (page 82).
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 known guidelines accepted by authorities throughout the world, and to 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. For that purpose, methods are constantly being developed around the world, including 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, replacing some animal testing, at least in initial product development stages. We have thus far 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 developing fetus toxicity. Examination is currently underway of methods that would provide data regarding endocrine (hormonal) system disruption effects.
