Product Risk Management

Risk characterization, management, and communication are important elements of Grace's global Product Stewardship Program. Our risk characterization and management program identifies, reduces, manages, and communicates the environmental, health, and safety impacts associated with our products throughout a product's lifecycle. 

Characterization

Risk characterization begins with an evaluation of the hazards associated with our products' ingredients. Every product's composition is defined, and reaction compounds, byproducts, impurities, or other minor components are evaluated. Available information on physio-chemical, health hazard, and environmental effects are reviewed, and studies are commissioned to obtain additional data as appropriate. Exposure risks are assessed for manufacturing processes, handling, packaging, distribution, use, and disposal. Risks are characterized for workers making the product, customers using the product, and others who may be affected.

Management

Prior to the commercialization of a product, a risk management evaluation is performed. This evaluation assures that products can be safely produced, sold, and used in all intended applications. Changes to existing products and related product manufacture, distribution and use are addressed through a business management of change program. Hazard and risk assessments coupled with periodic RCMS audits focus on the effectiveness of our product safety management systems.

Communication

Grace communicates product safety information primarily through Safety Data Sheets and product labels. Additional communication methods such as training presentations and videos, safe use bulletins, and regulatory summaries are provided when appropriate to communicate risks adequately.

Click here to access the Grace Product Risk Characterization, Prioritization, and Management Process. 

​As described in more detail in the section on Customer Driven innovation, the PrISM process adheres to principles of Product Stewardship from the very beginning. A detailed product stewardship checklist is employed as part of this process with specific questions and actions that need to be completed at each gate. The checklist helps ensure that for every new product we create, we assess potential health and safety risks, we evaluate the need for personnel and customer end-user training on safe use, we define regulatory requirements and determine labeling required to communicate hazards. We also consider how to safely transport the product and how to keep our customers from unintentionally misusing the product. The efficient use of natural resources and energy, whether we can use less hazardous raw materials, and whether the full lifecycle of the product, including disposal, recycling, or reuse, is appropriate are also considered.

Product Stewardship Summary Finder

Environmental, Health, and Safety summaries for high-priority chemicals present in or used to manufacture Grace products are publicly available. Each product summary provides general information about the relevant chemical or family of chemicals. Summaries are not intended to provide an in-depth analysis of all environmental, health and safety information, or to provide guidance on the use or disposal of the product. Additional information is available through the relevant Safety Data Sheets. 

Available Product Stewardship Summaries: