As part of our product stewardship program, products are evaluated and health and safety information is prepared, including Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) and product labels, which are prepared in compliance with the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). Chemicals are taken through the risk characterization procedure, and those with priority for screening include: when there is a high hazard potential, a high exposure potential, high production/import volumes, a new product is commercialized, or new information becomes available (toxicological, application or exposure data). High priority products can be targeted for more in-depth risk characterization and risk management activities.

The risk characterization process is a team effort. The teams are composed of:

• business contacts familiar with the customer use scenarios,
• product safety specialists familiar with the product’s toxicology,
• industrial hygienists familiar with industrial scenarios,
• environmental specialists,
• communications specialists
• legal counsel

In the hazard evaluation process, members of the product-specific team collect and evaluate the acute and chronic toxicological information of mammals and aquatic organisms, and information on the physical hazards such at flammability, volatility, explosive potential, reactivity or oxidizing hazard. The physico-chemical properties, environmental fate, persistence, and ability to bioaccumulate are also considered.

In the exposure evaluation process, team members gather and evaluate detailed information on how the product is used and handled, including processing parameters (equipment used, process temperatures, etc.), types of engineering controls and personal protective equipment used in product handling, and finally, disposal. otential environmental releases, specific health and safety guidelines and regulations in place for the specific chemical are also considered. Oftentimes, in an attempt to accurately collect the manufacturing use information, Bayer customers are contacted. In the exposure assessment phase, uses, including down-stream uses and commercial or residential/consumer uses, are considered. Here it is often necessary to contact our end-users for specific information.

The Risk Characterization procedure is in place to help ensure that Bayer products are used in situations which are appropriate for the specific product.

The hazard and exposure information is maintained in our Risk Characterization database. The Team evaluates the information on hazards and exposure potentials to characterize "risk." Depending on the level of the characterized risk, Risk Management actions are implemented. These can include but are not limited to:

• revisions to the MSDS and label;
• recommendations for personal protective equipment;
• product-specific brochures;
• training workshops or other educational tools;
• or a ‘white paper’ summary on the findings of risk characterization and required risk management communicated to the stakeholders.