We conduct our activities with an approach stipulating that the health, safety and environmental dimensions are taken into consideration for all stages that the product undergoes throughout its lifecycle. We do not limit product liability only with adhering to regulations but approach it with an integrative approach. We invite all parties involved in product design, development, production, marketing, distribution and use to be more sensitive to product liability.
We periodically review our goals identified based on risk assessment and legislative harmonization. We are aware of our responsibilities for each function!
- Research
- Sales and marketing
- Technical service
- Legislative harmonization
- Health, safety, Environment
- Purchasing
- Shipment
Material Safety
We closely follow up all related laws and legislations related with product design, production, storage, and delivery. Our job is not over after we deliver the product to the customer. We continue to provide all required information to our customers and employees for the safe use and disposal of our products.
We predetermine the hazardous characteristics of all our products after which we place this information on labels prepared in accordance with both national and international laws and legislations in addition to sharing it with our customers by way of Material Safety Data Sheets.
We conduct many activities for informing our employees. We acquire the Material Safety Data Sheets for over a thousand raw materials and keep them in a secure communication environment accessible by all our employees. We take into consideration the health, safety and environment impacts of all our raw materials. In this scope, raw materials are coded with a coding systematic that encompasses health effects, degree of flammability, reaction affinities and the personal protective equipment necessary when working with this raw material. The codes are printed on labels which are then placed on the raw material packages thus informing all employees on the possible hazards of raw materials.
Labels on product packaging and Safety Data Sheets are prepared in the native language of the country of export. We prepare these documents in accordance with the criteria put forth in the “United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals” (GHS). We also pay close attention to the regulations of the export countries to put into effect the improvements in all areas related with our product variety and to pass on all innovations to our customers.
Environment and Health in Product Design
In the product design stage, Kansai Altan endeavors to minimize the usage of chemicals considered hazardous for human and environmental health. We support our efforts with research studies conducted at our laboratories.
- We design leadfree products to replace products that contain lead.
- We encourage the design and usage of waterborne products.
- We develop products that can be applied in a shorter amount of time with less energy consumption.
Reach Regulation
REACH Regulation (EC No 1907/2006) is a European Union regulation that concerns the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemical substances. We give significant importance to this regulation owing to its contribution to the protection of human health and the environment coupled with its objective of reducing animal testing.
We control the compliance to the REACH regulation of the raw materials used in the formulation of our products exported to EU and EEA countries through direct contacts with our suppliers.
We closely monitor all developments related with this regulation through the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) official website. We also keep up with the additions and updates to the SVHC Candidate List published by the European Chemicals Agency. You may access the SVHC lists here.
How are the products defined within the scope of REACH?
- Vehicles, vehicle parts, drums, generators, screws, electrical home appliances, furniture etc. are defined as “article” within the scope of REACH.
- On the other hand, the coating materials (paint, thinner, lacquers etc.) acquired by our company are classified as “mixture” within the scope of REACH.
We keep track of the compliance to REACH regulation of products exported to EU and EEA countries. REACH registration for substances delivered to each customer in quantities of 1 ton or more inside a mixture is verified from the related suppliers. Tonnage and usage area for each customer is ensured through direct contacts with the suppliers.
Our customers in the related countries need to contact with the Material Safety and Regulatory Affairs Department for issues related with the REACH Regulation. The items of the declared Annex-17 (Restrictions on the manufacture, placing on the market and use of certain dangerous substances, mixtures, and articles) should be controlled by our customers in accordance with conditions of restriction.
REACH registration of substance in articles is not required if the substance is not intended to be released under normal or foreseeable conditions of use. Our products do not contain substances which are intended to be released.
In addition, article manufacturers exporting to EU and EEA regions may encounter certain liabilities. One of these will arise in case Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) are above limits in the article within the scope of liabilities for informing official authorities and users. You may examine in-depth the circumstances for which such an information will be necessary.
However, subject to commercial conditions, exporters may request non-EU manufacturers to appoint a representative in the EU region to undertake REACH liabilities.
In case your exporter does not assume responsibility, we suggest you contact our Material Safety and Regulatory Affairs Department for the inspection of the coating materials with REACH regulations.
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