Product compliance is integral to PPG’s core values as stated in the EHS Policy, both as an assurance that PPG products can be distributed, used and disposed of in a safe and environmentally sound manner and as a statement that PPG will comply with applicable laws and regulations.

In December 2006, the environment ministers of the European Union (EU) member states gave final approval to comprehensive chemical control rules, known as REACH (Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals), paving the way for the legislation to Enter Into Force (EIF) on June 1, 2007. REACH will require the registration of approximately 30,000 chemical substances with a new Helsinki-based chemicals agency. To learn more about how PPG is monitoring the development of this proposed legislation, click here.

These laws, regulations, and programs include, but are not limited to:

• Chemical inventory regulations, such as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Toxic Substances Control Act regulations, the Australia National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS), and the European Union EEC Directive 67/548 Amendment 7.
   
• The United Nations Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which establishes a verification process to ensure that covered chemicals are produced and used for legitimate, peaceful purposes. Signatory countries are responsible for implementing regulations to comply with the CWC. PPG operations in these countries may be subject to the signatory country’s regulations. 
   
• Varied chemical control regulations, such as those controlling the use of biocides, drug precursors, food and feed additives, food contact chemicals, End-of-Life-Vehicle (ELV) in the automotive industry, Waste Electrical and Electronics Equipment (WEEE), and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) addressing the electronics equipment industry. 
   
• Varied country specific product registration requirements. 
   

Recent highlights from PPG’s Product Compliance efforts: 

• PPG also maintains a global Product Stewardship Council, for product stewardship professionals, that provides a forum with inter-PPG business representation to discuss product stewardship topics.  In addition, the PPG Asia Pacific Product Stewardship Council discusses regional product stewardship topics.   
   
• Over 100 PPG associates from Australia, Malaysia, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea and Japan have completed Product Stewardship awareness training. 
   
• Rapidly changing regulations and the limited availability of regulatory expertise in some emerging regions requires PPG to supplement these areas with internal stewardship requirements and localized training. PPG employs regional product stewardship professionals to address regulatory developments in emerging regions. 
   
• Environment Canada and Health Canada recently completed the Categorization and Screening of the Domestic Substances List (DSL) under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) of 1999. PPG’s team of regulatory experts has been tracking the progress of this program and will implement internal procedures to comply with the requirements of this regulation and to support the Canadian government’s activities. To learn more about the Categorization and Screening of the Domestic Substances List, please click here.