Albemarle is committed to meeting its obligations domestically and internationally to test new compounds to ensure the safety, reliability and effectiveness of the production and market placement of our products. We avoid animal testing where legally possible, by using computer modeling to conduct our testing, and we have an internal policy that governs our testing procedures. In some cases, testing on living animals is a regulatory requirement for new and existing chemicals. We fully appreciate and share the public concern for animal welfare in research and in safety assessments of chemicals. We strongly support and apply the principle of the 3 Rs: to Replace, Reduce and Refine animal experiments.
Albemarle maintains, and continues to enhance, capabilities for tiered data development to replace, reduce or complement animal testing. This includes extensive literature research, computer modeling and in vitro assays.
Albemarle does not have its own animal testing facilities and commissions tests only at facilities which are fully approved by regulatory authorities and that comply with all applicable laws, regulations and licensing requirements. We ensure that staff at these facilities are trained, competent and implement only humane animal care techniques.
We are actively working towards the development, validation, and adoption of alternatives to animal testing through our active participation in industrial and scientific consortia including the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic), the American Chemistry Council (ACC), ECETOC, and others.
Albemarle promotes the use of integrated testing strategies to establish data for use in regulatory submissions worldwide to minimize the need to repeat animal testing.
Albemarle, together with other producers implemented a unique product stewardship program for its flame retardants, the Voluntary Emission Control Action Plan or VECAP.
VECAP is an innovative and excellence-driven way of doing business, based on ISO 14001 principles. It demonstrates the commitment of the industries involved to act in the interest of society and the environment while enhancing the competitiveness of local industries. The program was started in the UK by BSEF (the International Bromine Council). VECAP uses basic tools to help users of chemicals understand where material is used and intentionally or unintentionally discarded. The VECAP process is focused on measuring and reducing emissions during use and is fundamentally a continuous improvement system. It is designed to be cost effective and simple to implement.
For more specifics about this product stewardship best practice for the management of chemicals throughout the value chain which goes beyond regulatory and legislative requirements, please visit https://www.bsef.com/sustainability/vecap/.
Links to our most recent VECAP certifications can be found below:
As a global industry leader, Albemarle strives to comply with all material regulations in the regions in which we produce and sell our products. The global regulatory landscape for the specialty chemicals industry is complex and constantly evolving.
Examples of our Our primary regulatory requirements include regional regulations such as the European Community Regulation for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and , US Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and the Korean Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (K-REACH).
Albemarle employees responsible for managing government and regulatory affairs regularly engage with governments and regulators to ensure these groups are aware that Albemarle is focused on regulatory requirements and the compliance of our products and operations.
Responsible Care® is the U.S. chemical industry’s award-winning performance initiative. Responsible Care® helps leading chemical companies like Albemarle go above and beyond government requirements and improve performance by implementing world-class management practices; working with independent auditors; tracking performance through environmental, health, safety and security measures; and extending these best practices to business partners throughout the industry.
Responsible Care has resulted in:
- 56% reduction in process safety incidents by Responsible Care companies since 2000
- 3x Better worker safety rate from Responsible Care companies than the chemistry business overall
- 5x Better worker safety rate from Responsible Care companies than the U.S. manufacturing sector as a whole
- 30% reduction in recordable injury and illness rates since 2010
Responsible Care® helps leading chemical companies like Albemarle go above and beyond government requirements and improve performance by implementing world-class management practices; working with independent auditors; tracking performance through environmental, health, safety and security measures; and extending these best practices to business partners throughout the industry.
Albemarle has certified the following sites with the RC14001 process: Charlotte, NC; Kings Mountain, NC; Silver Peak, NV, New Johnsonville, TN; Bayport, TX; Pasadena, TX; Magnolia, AR; Twinsburg, OH; Process Development Center Baton Rouge, LA.
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Albemarle considers product safety and environmental impact issues of our products through the entire product life cycle, including inception, design, development, manufacture, storage, transportation, distribution, marketing, use and disposal.
As a member of the ACC, Albemarle has implemented a product safety code including a set of 11 management practices to evaluate, validate and continuously improve product safety performance, and provide information about chemical product safety.
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In the chemical industry, verifying compliance to globally recognized standards and rules is crucial. Many of Albemarle’s manufacturing facilities are certified as RC14001®, which combines Responsible Care and ISO 14001. Additionally, some of our sites hold ISO 9001 and ISO 45001
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